Cary, NC
Overall Livability
86
out of 100
🏙
86
Livability
💰
75
Affordability
🎓
97
Educational Attainment
🛡
89
Crime & Safety
☀
—
Weather
City Overview
Population
174,880
Median Age
39
Median Income
$125,317
Poverty Rate
5%
Housing
Median Home Value
$477,400
Median Monthly Rent
$1,538
Homeownership Rate
67%
Rental Market
Renter Burden Rate
34%
Share of renters paying 30%+ of income on rent
Educational Attainment
High School Diploma or Higher97%
Bachelor's Degree or Higher70%
Internet & Commute
Households with Broadband97%
Average Commute Time
24 min
🚗
Crime & Safety
Violent Crime (per 1k)
0.82
Property Crime (per 1k)
11.11
Similar Cities
Cities with a similar overall livability score
- The Woodlands, TX118,402 pop. Score 86
- Frisco, TX202,075 pop. Score 85
- Newton, MA88,453 pop. Score 87
- Troy, MI87,170 pop. Score 85
- San Ramon, CA86,119 pop. Score 85
Compare This City
- Cary vs. Charlotte, NCCompare →
Largest city in same state
- Cary vs. Lynchburg, VACompare →
Closest city in another state
- Cary vs. The Woodlands, TXCompare →
Similar overall livability
Pros
- ✓Very affordable cost of living
- ✓Highly educated population
- ✓Low crime rate
- ✓Excellent broadband internet access
- ✓Strong homeownership community
Cons
- No notable cons yet
Population by Age
Under 18
25%
18–34
19%
35–54
31%
55–64
12%
65+
13%
Key Facts
- Population
- 174,880
- Median Income
- $125,317
- Median Rent
- $1,538
- Median Home Value
- $477,400
- Median Age
- 39.4
- Homeownership
- 67%
- Broadband Access
- 97%
- Avg Commute
- 24 min
Nearby Cities
- Raleigh17 km
- Durham23 km
- Fayetteville79 km
- Greensboro97 km
- High Point108 km
Featured In Rankings
- #2Most Livable Cities in America (2026)
- #6Most Affordable Cities in America (2026)
- #14Safest Cities in America (2026)
- #15Cities with the Best Internet Access (2026)
- #13Most Educated Cities in America (2026)
- #1Best Cities for Remote Workers (2026)
- #13Best Cities for Families (2026)
- #13Best Cities for Retirees (2026)
- #10Cities Where Renters Pay the Least (2026)
- #9Best Cities for Software Developers (2026)
- #7Best Cities for Tech Workers (2026)
- #4Best Cities for Nurses (2026)
- #3Best Cities for Healthcare Workers (2026)
- #2Best Cities for Teachers (2026)
- #8Best Cities for Lawyers (2026)
- #1Best Cities for Business Managers (2026)
- #1Best Cities for Accountants (2026)
- #6Best Cities for Marketing Professionals (2026)
- #3Best Cities for Retail Workers (2026)
- #2Best Cities for Retail Managers (2026)
- #3Best Cities for Customer Service Workers (2026)
- #5Best Cities for Service Workers (2026)
- #25Best Cities for Construction Workers (2026)
- #20Best Cities for Manufacturing Workers (2026)
- #16Best Cities for Law Enforcement (2026)
- #2Best Cities for Insurance Workers (2026)
- #5Best Cities for Hospitality Workers (2026)
- #6Best Cities for Counselors (2026)
Other Cities in North Carolina
- Fayetteville208,697
- Wilmington116,933
- High Point114,120
- Concord105,335
- Winston-Salem249,571
Score Breakdown
- Affordability
- 75
- Educational Attainment
- 97
- Crime & Safety
- 89
- Weather
- —