Carmel IN vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 9.3% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 63.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 5.8% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 4.2% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $64,137 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $43,590 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 19.5% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 47.8% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 47.2% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 51.8°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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