Carmel IN vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Carmel
77.5%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 77.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 37.5% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.1% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.6% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 28.6% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.4% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 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