Carmel IN vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 94,723 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 10.3% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 3.7% | 0.8% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 3.5% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Sandy
$111,242
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Sandy
5.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $111,242 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $50,592 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 5.5% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 45.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $672,082 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1931 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
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, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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