Carmel IN vs Norfolk VA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 7.7% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 44.0% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $64,017 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $37,433 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.1% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 17.3% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 32.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 45.7% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1726 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 39.9% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.4% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.4% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 10.9% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.1% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.7% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 60.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 50.8 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Houston, TXCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PA