Cary, NC vs Lincoln, 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
Lincoln
72.8
#830 nationally
Lincoln leads in walk score (84 vs 28). Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 2.6). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 29.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Lincoln, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 72.8 (#830) |
| Population | 180,010 | 54,538 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $645,264 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $99,434 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 29.3 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 84 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 2.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 153 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | R+8.5 |
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 →
C-
72.8 Score
Lincoln, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$645,264
Population
54,538
Crime
Low
Walk Score
84
Pacific
View Lincoln, CA →