Cary, NC vs San Mateo, 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 Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 6.7). San Mateo leads in walk score (68 vs 28). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 249).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 180,010 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 6.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+50.3 |
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 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →