Cary, NC vs Otsego, MN
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
Otsego
69.5
#1199 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 4.9). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 34 min). Otsego leads in cost of living index (115 vs 125).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Otsego, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 69.5 (#1199) |
| Population | 180,010 | 23,241 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $429,771 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $122,420 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 34 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 4.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | R+29.4 |
Data coverage note: Otsego is missing data for 1 metric that Cary has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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 →
D+
69.5 Score
Otsego, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$429,771
Population
23,241
Crime
Moderate-Low
Median Income
$122,420
Midwest
View Otsego, MN →