Los Angeles
California
Pop. 3,881,041
VS
Cary
North Carolina
Pop. 174,880

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

47
Overall Score /100
Wins 0 of 7 categories
71
Overall Score /100
Wins 4 of 7 categories
Cary wins 4–0
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Cary wins 0–4 overall (71/100)
💰 Cary is more affordable
💼 Cary has lower unemployment
🛡️ Cary has fewer disasters

📋 Los Angeles vs Cary — The Verdict

Cary scores 71.5/100 compared to Los Angeles's 47.5/100, winning 4 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Cary has a clear edge with home prices 42% lower. Cary has a significantly tighter job market with unemployment at 3.9%. For safety-conscious movers, Cary has a notably lower disaster history with 42 fewer declarations in 20 years. Cary may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Cary are 42% lower — a difference of $345,200 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Cary saves you $253/month — that's $3,036 per year.
💵
Households in Cary earn $49,073 more per year (64% higher median income).
📊
Cary has a 1.6 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Cary has experienced 42 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Los Angeles vs Cary: Cost of Living Comparison
10
vs
50
Median Home Value
$822,600
$477,400
Median Rent /mo
$1,791
$1,538
Median Income
$76,244
$125,317
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Cary offers home prices 42% lower than Los Angeles, translating to $345,200 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Los Angeles vs Cary: Job Market & Salaries
35
vs
85
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
3.9%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Cary has a substantially stronger job market with unemployment 1.6 percentage points lower. If you're relocating without a job lined up, this difference matters.
🌡️ Los Angeles vs Cary: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Los Angeles vs Cary: Air Quality & Environment
85
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
0
23 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Los Angeles vs Cary: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Los Angeles vs Cary: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
54
12
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
High
Cary has a markedly lower disaster history — 42 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Los Angeles to Cary: Common Questions

Is Los Angeles or Cary cheaper to live in?
Cary is more affordable overall. Home prices are $345,200 lower in Cary. Monthly rent is $1,538 in Cary vs $1,791 in Los Angeles.
Does Los Angeles or Cary have better weather?
Cary scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Los Angeles or Cary better for finding a job?
Cary currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 5.5% in Los Angeles vs 3.9% in Cary. Median household income is $76,244 in Los Angeles and $125,317 in Cary.
Which city is safer — Los Angeles or Cary?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Cary is safer. Los Angeles has had 54 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 12 in Cary. Los Angeles scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Cary.
Should I move from Los Angeles to Cary?
Based on our data, Cary scores 71.5/100 vs Los Angeles's 47.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Cary is more affordable, while Cary has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.