Cary, NC vs Simi Valley, 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
Simi Valley
67.3
#1445 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 3.5). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 176). Simi Valley leads in walk score (39 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Simi Valley, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 67.3 (#1445) |
| Population | 180,010 | 125,113 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $841,774 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $112,144 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 3.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 176 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+15.1 |
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+
67.3 Score
Simi Valley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$841,774
Population
125,113
Crime
Low
Walk Score
39
Pacific
View Simi Valley, CA →