Carmel IN vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 10.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 68.8% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 4.0% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Omaha
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $72,708 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $42,515 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.2% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 12.8% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 40.3% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 57.7% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1960 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Omaha
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Omaha
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 37.5% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.2% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.2% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 12.0% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 20.0% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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