Cary NC vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 129,239 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 60.1% | 31.9% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 2.1% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
65.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 7.8% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 65.3% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $720,443 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 41.2% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Cary, NC | Santa Rosa, 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 +
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 26.5% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.4% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.7% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 10.4% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.8% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.3% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.2 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Santa Rosa 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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