Carmel IN vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 8.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 54.1% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.7% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
South Bend
$58,697
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $52,512 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $29,511 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,697 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.0% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 22.6% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 29.4% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 58.8% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
South Bend
370
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
South Bend
1719
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 370 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1719 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 39.7% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.2% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 20.3% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 12.6% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 18.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and South Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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