Carmel IN vs Rochester 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 26,509 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 7.1% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.7% | 3.6% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 5.2% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 3.9% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Rochester
$127,247
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Rochester
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $127,247 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $57,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.2% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 50.3% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1992 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Rochester
14.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Rochester
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 36.4% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.3% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 7.1% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.4% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 28.3 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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