Cary, NC, known as "A Great Place to Live," is a thriving community with a rich history and a high quality of life. Located in the heart of the Research Triangle, Cary is approximately 12 miles west of Raleigh and 20 miles east of Chapel Hill. This medium-sized city is celebrated for its excellent schools, beautiful parks, and strong sense of community.
Cary's climate features mild winters and hot, humid summers, ideal for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Bond Park and the expansive Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, which offer hiking, biking, and opportunities for family picnics. The nearby Jordan Lake provides additional outdoor adventures, including boating and fishing.
The cultural scene in Cary is vibrant, with attractions like the Cary Arts Center, the Koka Booth Amphitheatre, and the Page-Walker Arts & History Center. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival and the Diwali Festival, celebrating the community's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Cary, with the Wake County Public School System providing education to its students. The city is also home to campuses of higher education institutions such as Wake Technical Community College and nearby North Carolina State University. This focus on education makes Cary an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the WakeMed Cary Hospital, also supports a strong job market and ensures residents have access to top-notch medical care.
Living in Cary combines the benefits of urban living with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system, including buses and proximity to major highways, makes commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its cultural richness, excellent amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, living in Cary offers a dynamic and fulfilling experience.
Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Nothing Found
No cons were found for this area, as there were no categories that scored well below average.
Cary, North Carolina is a moderately-sized city with a population of 169,177 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Cary is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Cary, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 23 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Cary could be a positive experience compared to other cities in North Carolina if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Cary and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, health & safety, housing and other important metrics.
Cary has a livability score of 90/100 and is ranked #1 in North Carolina and #48 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Cary could be a great choice! Another exciting tidbit, is that Cary ranks better than 90% of all US cities! If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Cary has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (A), crime (A+), education (A) and housing (A+).
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Cary, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Cary undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Cary: The Umstead Spa, Fred G. Bond Metro Park, and Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve.
Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Cary has a violent crime rate of 80 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.
The unemployment rate in Cary has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.3%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Cary market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Assuming that Cary meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Cary. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Cary are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Cary come in at $376,600, which is 139.7% higher than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Cary, the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 6.1% higher than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Cary | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 23min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 74.0% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.8% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.3% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.3% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 15.5% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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