Carmel IN vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 11,626 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 12.6% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 59.6% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 4.7% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Peoria
$83,102
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Peoria
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Peoria
8.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $83,102 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $33,805 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.8% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 27.6% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Peoria
73.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 73.5% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Peoria
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Peoria
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 36.2% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.5% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.8% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 9.3% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 34.4 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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