Carmel IN vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Carmel +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Plymouth
74.8%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Plymouth
5.0%
Plymouth +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Plymouth
10.1%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 79,526 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 40.7 | Carmel + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 77.5% | 74.8% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 5.0% | Plymouth + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 10.1% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 4.7% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Plymouth
$133,865
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Plymouth
$69,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Plymouth
4.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Plymouth
64.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $133,865 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $69,839 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 4.1% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 64.8% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Plymouth
$514,358
Plymouth +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $514,358 | Plymouth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1992 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Plymouth
12.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Plymouth
5.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Plymouth
8.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 12.7% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 5.3% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.5% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.5% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while plymouth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $514,358. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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