Cary, NC vs Darien, IL
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.
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Darien
75.1
#500 nationally
Darien leads in crime level (1.1 vs 1.9). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 29.7 min). Darien leads in walk score (35 vs 28).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Darien, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 75.1 (#500) |
| Population | 180,010 | 21,698 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $463,450 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $110,546 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 1.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+13.3 |
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
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C
75.1 Score
Darien, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$463,450
Population
21,698
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
35
Midwest
View Darien, IL →