Carmel IN vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 77.5% | 70.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 5.3% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $74,925 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $49,642 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 3.8% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 13.4% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 50.9% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $580,126 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 46.8% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1931 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 18.2% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 12.3% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.8°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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