Carlsbad, CA vs Cary, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 5.5). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 202). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 28.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Cary, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 72.1 (#924) |
| Population | 113,495 | 180,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $628,913 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $125,317 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 1.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+25.6 |
D-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, CA →
C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →