Cary, NC vs Wake Forest, 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
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 4.0). Cary leads in walk score (28 vs 20). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 31.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 180,010 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 116 |
| 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 →
D+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →