Carmel IN vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 77.5% | 39.2% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 8.3% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $88,575 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $33,716 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.0% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 25.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $648,603 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 56.3% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Riverside, 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%
Carmel +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 36.7% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.2% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 13.6% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.5% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 66.8°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 34.1 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Housing costs differ substantially: the median home in Riverside costs $648,603, which is 14% more expensive than Carmel's median of $570,592. In Carmel, a median home costs 4.2× the annual household income, compared to 7.3× in Riverside. On public safety, Carmel is 26% safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in the other city. Economically, Carmel has an edge with a lower unemployment rate of 2.7% and a higher median household income of $134,602. For quality of life, Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 7.9 µg/m³), and Carmel has a lower obesity rate (30.8%). If you prioritize affordable housing, Carmel offers 12% lower home prices while maintaining comparable income levels — making it a strong value proposition for buyers and renters alike.
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