Carmel IN vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
San Francisco
39.7
San Francisco +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 39.7 | San Francisco + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 77.5% | 40.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
San Francisco
60.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.6% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 10.6% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 60.1% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $1,369,171 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 38.5% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
San Francisco
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
San Francisco
9.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 6.6% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.6% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 55.3°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 33.9 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Houston, TXCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PA