Cary, NC vs South Pasadena, 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
South Pasadena
63.6
#1760 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 5.8). South Pasadena leads in walk score (67 vs 28). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 228).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | South Pasadena, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 63.6 (#1760) |
| Population | 180,010 | 25,623 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $1,707,701 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $127,882 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 5.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 228 |
| 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
63.6 Score
South Pasadena, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,707,701
Population
25,623
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
67
Pacific
View South Pasadena, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Cary for:
Swap South Pasadena for: