Carmel IN vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 77.5% | 60.1% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 9.5% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $77,643 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $42,371 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 16.2% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 49.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 41.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 450 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2150 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.6% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 10.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.3% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 71.3°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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