Living in Cary, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Cary · Census data 2020–2024
Cary has 179,306 residents with a median age of 40.2. The median household income is $134,905 (86% higher than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $580,200, the median rent is $1,738/month.
Cary at a glance
- Population
- 179,306
- Median age
- 40.2State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $134,905State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $580,200State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,738/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 66.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 70.5%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Cary a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 86% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3.5%; a poverty rate of 5.7%.
Cons: Home values 101% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Cary
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Cary the median home value is $580,200, 74% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,738 per month, which is 24.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,389 a month in housing costs.
Cary median household income
The median household income in Cary is $134,905 and the income per person is $67,409. 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Cary: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 73,795
- Owner-occupied
- 66.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.4%
- Vacant
- 5.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1999
- Average household size
- 2.57
Cary demographics
- Population
- 179,306
- Median age
- 40.2
- Under 18
- 23.4%
- 65 and older
- 14.1%
- Households
- 69,710
- Foreign-born
- 23.9%
- Veterans
- 4.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Cary ›
Education in Cary
70.5% of adults 25 and older in Cary have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 33.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Cary
- Unemployment rate
- 3.5%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 36.5%
- Drive alone
- 56.3%
- Public transit
- 0.3%
- Walk to work
- 1%
- Homes with broadband
- 96.6%
Cary vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cary | 179,306 | $134,905 | $580,200 | $1,738 |
| Morrisville | 31,422 | $125,396 | $518,800 | $1,858 |
| Apex | 70,630 | $144,135 | $576,100 | $1,902 |
| Holly Springs | 45,248 | $135,578 | $535,800 | $2,021 |
| Raleigh | 481,031 | $85,395 | $415,800 | $1,572 |
| Carolina Meadows | 555 | $126,007 | $443,800 | $3,501 |
| Governors Village | 2,295 | $125,857 | $602,100 | $1,779 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 40,485 | $115,497 | $451,500 | $1,720 |
| Governors Club | 1,787 | $235,625 | $889,500 | — |
More for people moving to Cary
Cary ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Cary: FAQ
What is the median household income in Cary, NC?
The median household income in Cary is $134,905, 86% higher than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Cary?
The median home value in Cary is $580,200, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Cary?
The median gross rent in Cary is $1,738 per month, about 24.9% of household income.
Is Cary, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 86% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3.5%; a poverty rate of 5.7%. Minuses: home values 101% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Cary?
The median age in Cary is 40.2 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Cary?
The average commute to work in Cary is 23 minutes; 36.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Cary?
The unemployment rate in Cary is 3.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Cary?
70.5% of adults in Cary have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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