Carmel IN vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 8.0% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 50.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 4.0% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
51.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $55,931 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $35,704 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.5% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 23.2% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 51.0% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 39.5% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 34.1% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 20.3% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 13.2% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 67.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 58.1 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Tallahassee 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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