Carmel IN vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 10.2% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 40.8% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.8% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $51,339 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $27,054 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 25.3% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 19.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 49.5% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 39.6% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.8% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 21.1% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 13.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.5% | 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
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 22.6 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 $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 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 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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