Carmel IN vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Carmel +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 40.7 | Carmel + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 4.5% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 70.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.9% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 3.4% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $65,537 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $41,110 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 16.5% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 35.1% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Springfield
63.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 63.4% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 41.1% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.3% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.7% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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