Atlanta, GA vs Cary, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Atlanta
67.4
#1420 nationally
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $69,164). Atlanta leads in walk score (48 vs 28). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 29.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cary, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1420) | 72.1 (#924) |
| Population | 510,823 | 180,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $387,226 | $628,913 |
| Median Household Income | $69,164 | $125,317 |
| Average Commute | 29.8 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 1.9 |
| School Rating | 5.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+44.9 | D+25.6 |
D+
67.4 Score
Atlanta, GA
Capital of the New South
Median Home
$387,226
Population
510,823
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southeast
View Atlanta, GA →
C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →