Carmel IN vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 77.5% | 49.1% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 7.1% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $107,474 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $64,382 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.9% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 9.5% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 51.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $708,498 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 47.5% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.4% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 12.3% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.7% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.3°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 53.2 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 30.1 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while carmel offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,592. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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