California vs North Carolina
California comes out ahead of North Carolina on 423 of 809 statistics where one end is better, to 372 with 14 ties. California leads on Health, Education and Tech & Business and 5 more categories. North Carolina leads on Travel, Infrastructure & Energy and Sports and 4 more categories.
809 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 14 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 423
- Avg. percentile
- 54
- Categories led
- 8
- Wins
- 372
- Avg. percentile
- 49
- Categories led
- 7
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | California | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,345,844 1st of 51 | 11,343,875 9th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $99,122 6th of 51 | $72,388 38th of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 5.5% 50th of 51 | 3.8% tied 20th of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 12.0% 29th of 51 | 13.0% 35th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 110.7 51st of 51 | 94.3 21st of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $63,028 13th of 51 | $56,310 33rd of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $80,690 5th of 51 | $64,290 29th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $2,036 51st of 51 | $1,228 25th of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 432.7 44th of 51 | 330.3 30th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 2,814 9th of 48 | 3,359 10th of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- HealthCalifornia · 190 statistics
- TravelNorth Carolina · 28 statistics
- EducationCalifornia · 51 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyNorth Carolina · 36 statistics
- SportsNorth Carolina · 16 statistics
- Tech & BusinessCalifornia · 48 statistics
- EconomicsCalifornia · 295 statistics
- AgricultureCalifornia · 17 statistics
- Crime & SafetyCalifornia · 75 statistics
- GeographyNorth Carolina · 25 statistics
- CultureCalifornia · 78 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentCalifornia · 124 statistics
- LawNorth Carolina · 70 statistics
- PopulationNorth Carolina · 125 statistics
- Facts & TriviaNorth Carolina · 18 statistics
- EnvironmentEven · 40 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | California | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety RateMental Health Statistics by State | 7,857 per 100k 50th of 51 | 6,606 per 100k 1st of 51 |
| 90th Percentile WageTeacher Pay by State | $128,680 3rd of 51 | $62,000 50th of 51 |
| Median Teacher SalaryTeacher Pay by State | $95,260 1st of 51 | $48,980 48th of 51 |
| Annual SalaryBSN Salary by State | $101,533 4th of 50 | $69,270 50th of 50 |
| Hourly WageBSN Salary by State | $48.81 4th of 50 | $33.30 50th of 50 |
| Car Sales Tax RateCar Sales Tax by State | 7.25% 44th of 45 | 3% 3rd of 45 |
| Average Documentation FeeCar Registration Fees by State | $85.00 1st of 50 | $699 tied 46th of 50 |
| Maximum Annual SalaryIBEW Pay Scale by State | $182,500 1st of 51 | $67,660 47th of 51 |
| 75th Percentile WageTeacher Pay by State | $103,880 2nd of 51 | $59,250 48th of 51 |
| MinimumCorporate Tax Rates by State | 8.84% 42nd of 44 | 2.25% 3rd of 44 |
| Estimated Civil War DeathsCivil War Casualties by State | 500 tied 1st of 33 | 31,000 tied 29th of 33 |
| 25th Percentile WageTeacher Pay by State | $74,390 2nd of 51 | $46,440 47th of 51 |
| 10th Percentile WageTeacher Pay by State | $60,640 2nd of 51 | $38,650 46th of 51 |
| Median Doc FeeCar Dealer Fees by State | $85.00 2nd of 51 | $749 46th of 51 |
| % Change in Prison Pop. 2022 to 2023Prison Population by State | -1,646.0% 1st of 50 | 1,058.0% 44th of 50 |
| Avg SalaryCorrectional Officer Salary by State | $89,220 1st of 51 | $38,710 44th of 51 |
| Electrician Mean Hourly Wage 2023Electrician Salary by State | $40.54 6th of 51 | $25.78 49th of 51 |
| Electrician Mean Yearly Wage 2023Electrician Salary by State | $84,330 6th of 51 | $53,610 49th of 51 |
| Minimum Annual SalaryIBEW Pay Scale by State | $98,900 7th of 51 | $53,400 50th of 51 |
| Infant Mortality RateInfant Mortality Rate by State | 3.9 1st of 49 | 6.8 42nd of 49 |
| Maximum CostLiposuction Limits by State | $20,000 tied last of 50 | $8,000 tied 2nd of 50 |
| Dealer Max Vehicle TaxCar Dealer Fees by State | 10.8% 39th of 45 | 3% 2nd of 45 |
| Corporate Tax RankBest State To Incorporate In | 46th 47th of 51 | 5th 5th of 51 |
| Average Teacher SalaryTeacher Pay by State | $101,084 1st of 51 | $58,292 43rd of 51 |
| Average Teacher SalaryBest States for Teachers | $103,552 1st of 51 | $60,323 43rd of 51 |
| Intermediate 2-4 YearsHVAC Salary by State | $64,200 2nd of 50 | $53,300 43rd of 50 |
| Regular Gas, Avg Price per GallonGas Price by State | $5.87 51st of 51 | $3.78 tied 9th of 51 |
| Urban Pavement RoughnessRoad Quality by State | 44.0% 50th of 50 | 8% tied 9th of 50 |
| Tipped WagesMinimum Wage by State | $16.90 2nd of 49 | $2.13 tied last of 49 |
| Police Officer Avg Annual SalaryPolice Officer Salary by State | $115,400 1st of 50 | $58,030 41st of 50 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, California or North Carolina?
- California comes out ahead of North Carolina on 423 of 809 statistics where one end is better, to 372 with 14 ties. California leads on Health, Education and Tech & Business and 5 more categories. North Carolina leads on Travel, Infrastructure & Energy and Sports and 4 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, California or North Carolina?
- California has a population of 39,345,844 (1st of 51 US states) and North Carolina has 11,343,875 (9th of 51).
- How do California and North Carolina compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: California $99,122 (6th of 51), North Carolina $72,388 (38th of 51) among US states. California ranks better.
- How do California and North Carolina compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): California 5.5% (50th of 51), North Carolina 3.8% (tied 20th of 51) among US states. North Carolina ranks better.
- Where does California beat North Carolina most clearly?
- California ranks far ahead on 90th Percentile Wage (Teacher Pay by State): $128,680 vs $62,000; Median Teacher Salary (Teacher Pay by State): $95,260 vs $48,980; Annual Salary (BSN Salary by State): $101,533 vs $69,270.
- Where does North Carolina beat California most clearly?
- North Carolina ranks far ahead on Anxiety Rate (Mental Health Statistics by State): 6,606 per 100k vs 7,857 per 100k; Car Sales Tax Rate (Car Sales Tax by State): 3% vs 7.25%; Minimum (Corporate Tax Rates by State): 2.25% vs 8.84%.
More matchups
Other comparisons with California or North Carolina.
- Alabama vs California
- Alaska vs California
- Arizona vs California
- Arkansas vs California
- California vs Colorado
- California vs Connecticut
- California vs Delaware
- California vs District of Columbia
- Alabama vs North Carolina
- Alaska vs North Carolina
- Arizona vs North Carolina
- Arkansas vs North Carolina
- Colorado vs North Carolina
- Connecticut vs North Carolina
- Delaware vs North Carolina
- District of Columbia vs North Carolina