Cary NC vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 48.3% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 7.0% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 3.1% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $62,917 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $32,983 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.8% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 17.1% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 28.7% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 52.4% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Cary, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 34.9% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.2% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 17.2% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 24.5% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.0% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.0% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Cary, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 68.5°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 26.5 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cary, NC vs New York, NYCary, NC vs Los Angeles, CACary, NC vs Chicago, ILCary, NC vs Houston, TXCary, NC vs Phoenix, AZCary, NC vs Philadelphia, PA