Carmel IN vs Southaven MS — 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%

Southaven, MS

Mississippi · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$276,140
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Carmel
100,501
Southaven
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Southaven
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Southaven
N/A
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Southaven
N/A
White
Carmel
77.5%
Southaven
N/A
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Southaven
N/A
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Southaven
N/A
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Southaven
N/A
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Southaven
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Southaven
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Southaven
N/A
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Southaven
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Southaven
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Southaven
$276,140
Southaven +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Southaven
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Southaven
247
Southaven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Southaven
1808

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Southaven
37.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Southaven
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Southaven
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Southaven
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Southaven
14.9%
Southaven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Southaven
14.2%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Southaven
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Southaven
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Southaven
10.0 µg/m³
Southaven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Southaven
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Southaven
N/A

Which City is Right for You?

Southaven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $276,140. On public safety, Southaven is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Southaven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Carmel & Southaven