Cary NC vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 161,993 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 60.1% | 21.8% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 1.4% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 5.7% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $89,150 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $28,813 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.7% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 14.2% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 15.5% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $751,711 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 47.0% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 32.8% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.4% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.2% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 22.4% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.8% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.9% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 28.8 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 Salinas. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Salinas 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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