Carmel IN vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Portland
11.1%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 68,505 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.1% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 3.7% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 3.2% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 3.1% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Portland
$52,125
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Portland
59.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $76,174 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $52,125 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 11.3% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 59.2% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 46.7% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.8% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 7.2% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.3% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 47.3 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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