Antioch CA vs Cary NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Antioch, CA

California · Population: 115,759

  • Median HH Income$94,256
  • Median Home Price$596,401
  • Unemployment7.1%
  • Bachelor's+23.9%

Cary, NC

North Carolina · Population: 176,686

  • Median HH Income$129,399
  • Median Home Price$629,864
  • Unemployment3.4%
  • Bachelor's+70.2%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Antioch
115,759
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Antioch
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Antioch
38.1
Antioch +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Antioch
23.8%
Antioch +
Cary
23.7%
White
Antioch
29.5%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Antioch
19.7%
Antioch +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Antioch
13.6%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Antioch
36.1%
Antioch +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Antioch
N/A
Cary
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Antioch
$94,256
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Antioch
$40,337
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Antioch
$77,230
Antioch +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Antioch
7.1%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Antioch
11.2%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Antioch
23.9%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Antioch
$596,401
Antioch +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Antioch
63.5%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Antioch
503
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Antioch
2388
Cary
1999
Cary +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Antioch
32.9%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Antioch
12.5%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Antioch
18.4%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Antioch
11.1%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Antioch
15.2%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Antioch
12.1%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Antioch
61.5°F
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Antioch
13.2 in
Antioch +
Cary
46.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Antioch
7.9 µg/m³
Antioch +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Antioch
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Antioch
45.9 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +

Which City is Right for You?

Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while antioch offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $596,401. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Antioch. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Antioch has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Antioch & Cary