Carmel IN vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 12.1% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 51.9% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 6.8% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $45,845 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $27,570 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.4% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 29.6% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 30.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 41.3% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 434 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1736 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 41.5% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.7% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 20.8% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 9.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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