Carmel IN vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 77.5% | 36.1% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 7.8% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $60,698 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $37,669 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 8.4% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 22.0% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 34.6% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 52.3% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 57.1°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 48.5 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 34.5 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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