Carmel IN vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 3.8% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 3.7% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.7% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 5.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Springfield
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $45,984 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $30,864 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.3% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 19.4% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 30.3% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 42.9% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 501 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2418 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 37.7% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 20.0% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 10.0% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 56.3°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 45.6 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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