Cary NC vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 153,455 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 60.1% | 30.4% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 1.5% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Sunnyvale
69.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.1% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 5.6% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 69.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $2,144,024 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 43.8% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Sunnyvale
12.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 12.9% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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