Carmel IN vs West Covina CA — 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
West Covina
40.1
West Covina +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
West Covina
4.1%
West Covina +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 40.1 | West Covina + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 77.5% | 20.0% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 4.1% | West Covina + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
West Covina
$98,570
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
West Covina
9.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $98,570 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $38,100 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.2% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 9.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 29.8% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Carmel +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $851,613 | Carmel + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 60.8% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Carmel, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
West Covina
14.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
West Covina
9.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.8% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.7% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 11.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | West Covina, CA | 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 36.1 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, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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