Cary, NC vs Hercules, CA
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.
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Hercules
63.3
#1776 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 4.6). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 40.4 min). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 171).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Hercules, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 63.3 (#1776) |
| Population | 180,010 | 26,582 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $743,984 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $125,880 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 40.4 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 29 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 4.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 171 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+38.0 |
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 →
D
63.3 Score
Hercules, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$743,984
Population
26,582
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Hercules, CA →