Carmel IN vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Westland
38.2
Westland +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Westland
9.2%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Westland
63.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Carmel +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 84,155 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 38.2 | Westland + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 9.2% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 63.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 3.8% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 5.0% | Carmel + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $62,216 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $33,816 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,052 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.3% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 13.3% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 21.7% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Westland
61.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 61.1% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 471 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Westland
7.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 34.7% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.3% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 20.0% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 7.3% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.6% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Westland, MI | 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
Carmel +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Carmel + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 27.0 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Carmel has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Houston, TXCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PA