Cary, NC vs Raleigh, 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.
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Raleigh
71
#1035 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 32.0). Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $82,424). Raleigh leads in cost of living index (105 vs 125).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 71 (#1035) |
| Population | 180,010 | 470,763 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $435,237 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $82,424 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 24.3 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 31 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 32.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 105 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+25.6 |
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 Score
Raleigh, NC
Research Triangle innovation hub
Median Home
$435,237
Population
470,763
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
Southeast
View Raleigh, NC →