Cary, NC vs San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
62.2
#1870 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 6.1). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 166). Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $99,413).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 62.2 (#1870) |
| Population | 180,010 | 94,188 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $953,736 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $99,413 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 33 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 6.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 166 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+16.8 |
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-
62.2 Score
San Marcos, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$953,736
Population
94,188
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
33
Pacific
View San Marcos, CA →