Carmel IN vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 9.1% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 61.6% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 7.2% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $90,685 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $47,372 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.3% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 8.4% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 40.4% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 64.9% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1726 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 36.5% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.8% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.7% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.3% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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