Carmel IN vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Rancho Cucamonga +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 174,693 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.9 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 77.5% | 44.0% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 8.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $109,511 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $45,626 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.8% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 8.0% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 37.3% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $791,317 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 63.3% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.1% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.8% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 34.6 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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