Carmel IN vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Carmel
100,501
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 77.5% | 58.0% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 6.9% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $67,544 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $35,825 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 6.4% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 19.8% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 34.1% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 42.4% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 35.3% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 19.9% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 8.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.1% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.5% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 48.1 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 27.3 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Worcester 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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