Cary, NC vs Walnut, 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
Walnut
63.3
#1785 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 3.5). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 197). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 35.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Walnut, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 63.3 (#1785) |
| Population | 180,010 | 27,104 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $1,188,533 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $130,444 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 35.1 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 3.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+32.9 |
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
Walnut, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,188,533
Population
27,104
Crime
Low
Walk Score
32
Pacific
View Walnut, CA →