Cary, NC vs Merced, 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
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 21.5). Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $59,233). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 180,010 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | R+4.4 |
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
64.3 Score
Merced, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$397,570
Population
93,692
Crime
High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Merced, CA →