Cary, NC vs Washington, DC
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
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 25.4). Washington leads in walk score (98 vs 28). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 181).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 180,010 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 98 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 25.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+86.1 |
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
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →