Cary

Cary, North Carolina Overview

Cary ranks #2 of 20 cities in North Carolina, earning a A+ grade with a composite score of 66.4/100. The city stands out in Safety (91/100) and Fiscal Health (87/100), placing it among the state’s strongest performers across the metrics we track.

Income & Employment in Cary

Cary’s median household income of $129,607 is 94% above the North Carolina median of $66,880, and its 2.9% unemployment rate undercuts the state’s 3.5%.

Safety in Cary

Cary’s violent crime rate of 104.5 per 100,000 is well below both the North Carolina rate of 380 and national norms, making safety one of the city’s defining features. The property crime rate is 1235.2 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Cary

Cary has a cost of living index of 98 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $525,200. Median monthly rent is $1,621. Renters spend 15.0% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Cary

Cary’s adult obesity rate of 25.3% is below the national average, contributing to stronger health outcomes. The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.6%. Residents average 12.8 poor mental health days per month. North Carolina ranks #32 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Cary

Cary has a high school graduation rate of 91%. The student-teacher ratio is 16.6:1. Per-pupil spending is $11,564. The city has 31 public schools serving 28,943 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Cary

Cary enjoys a moderate climate with an annual average of 56.7°F. Summers average 74.7°F. Winters average 40.1°F. Annual precipitation is 43.9 inches. 28.3% of workers in Cary work from home, well above the national average. The average commute of 16.3 minutes is notably short.

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