Cary, NC vs Mountain View, 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
Mountain View
63.3
#1779 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 8.4). Mountain View leads in walk score (66 vs 28). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 285).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Mountain View, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 63.3 (#1779) |
| Population | 180,010 | 81,785 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $1,962,774 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $174,156 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 24.2 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 66 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 8.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 285 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+40.0 |
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
Mountain View, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,962,774
Population
81,785
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
66
Pacific
View Mountain View, CA →
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