Cary NC vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Cary +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 67,231 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 42.5 | Cary + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 60.1% | 48.4% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 2.2% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.1% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Pasadena
3.7%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Pasadena
5.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.7% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 5.4% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $1,215,642 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 54.2% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Cary, NC | Pasadena, 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%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Pasadena
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Pasadena
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Pasadena
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Pasadena
9.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.7% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 14.9% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.4% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.2% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 67.0°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.8 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 Pasadena. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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