Cary, NC vs Oak Park, 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
Oak Park
71.1
#1024 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 8.9). Oak Park leads in walk score (78 vs 28). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 33.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oak Park, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 71.1 (#1024) |
| Population | 180,010 | 52,055 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $489,829 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $103,264 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 33.4 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 78 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 8.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 127 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+42.0 |
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 →
C-
71.1 Score
Oak Park, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$489,829
Population
52,055
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
78
Midwest
View Oak Park, IL →