Cary NC vs Chula Vista CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Chula Vista
8,933
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Cary +
Chula Vista
42.9
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Chula Vista
20.0%
White
Cary
60.1%
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 8,933 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 42.9 | Cary + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 20.0% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 65.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 7.6% | 0.7% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 0.7% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 36.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Chula Vista
$104,238
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Chula Vista
$49,562
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Chula Vista
26.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $104,238 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $49,562 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 4.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 26.9% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Chula Vista
$849,245
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $849,245 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 71.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Chula Vista
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Chula Vista
2388
| Metric | Cary, NC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Chula Vista
26.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Chula Vista
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Chula Vista
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Chula Vista
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Chula Vista
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Chula Vista
9.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 26.6% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.4% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.0% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 12.4% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.7% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.6% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 63.5°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 9.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Chula Vista
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Chula Vista
26.9 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.9 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while cary offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $629,864. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista 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%.
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