Cary, NC vs Paramus, NJ
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
Paramus
67.9
#1371 nationally
Paramus leads in crime level (0.8 vs 1.9). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 173). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 31 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Paramus, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 67.9 (#1371) |
| Population | 180,010 | 26,282 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $1,086,056 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $136,824 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 31 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 0.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+3.4 |
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+
67.9 Score
Paramus, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,086,056
Population
26,282
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
37
Northeast
View Paramus, NJ →