Escondido CA vs Raleigh NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Escondido
107,066
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 13.6% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 0.6% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 4.7% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 12.7% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 30.9% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 46.2 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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