Carmel IN vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 138,723 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 36.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 77.5% | 53.6% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 1.6% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Ontario
$116,945
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Ontario
$50,759
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Ontario
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Ontario
9.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $116,945 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $50,759 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 9.2% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 40.1% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $671,948 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 58.1% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Ontario
12.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 33.6% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.0% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.8% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 17.0% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.0% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 65.5°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 28.2 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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