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Suburb0
Raleigh

Cary

#2 in Best Suburbs to Live in North Carolina
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • Suburb of Raleigh, NC
  • 400 reviews
    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Public Schools
      A
    2. Crime & Safety
      B-
    3. Housing
      A
    4. Nightlife
      A-
    5. Good for Families
      A+
    6. Diversity
      A
    7. Jobs
      A
    8. Weather
      B
    9. Cost of Living
      B
    10. Health & Fitness
      A+
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A-
    12. Commute
      B+
    View Full Report Card
    Cary is a suburb of Raleigh with a population of 159,715. Cary is in Wake County and is one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Living in Cary offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Cary there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families live in Cary and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Cary are highly rated.
    About Cary...
    Population
    159,715

    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $323,000
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $1,133
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Dense Suburban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      31%
    • Own
      69%
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    Cary Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    B-
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      39.9
      282.7
    • Murder
      0
      6.1
    • Rape
      6.2
      40.7
    • Robbery
      21.7
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      144.9
      500.1
    • Theft
      795.8
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      36.4
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    A
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      13%
    • 10-17 years
      12%
    • 18-24 years
      6%
    • 25-34 years
      12%
    • 35-44 years
      17%
    • 45-54 years
      16%
    • 55-64 years
      12%
    • 65+ years
      12%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      28%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      37%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      20%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      10%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      4%
      13%

    Working in Cary

    Jobs
    A
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $97,755
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Cary
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    • Private Schools
    • Colleges
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    Cary Reviews

    400 reviews
    All Categories
    Great town that is growing at a tremendous rate. I have seen how much development has occurred over the past 2 decades and it is immense! There are tons of new houses and apartment complexes that are located around many restaurants, sporting events, and attractions. There is great professional opportunities in the RTP area. In addition, there are many wonderful universities that offer great educations in all different aspects of focus. Only 2 hours from the beach or the mountains, the variety of experiences is unbeatable!
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    Cary is a growing town with lots to do! There are several restaurants to choose from in this town. Anyone would be able to find something that they like to eat with the vast variety that Cary restaurants have. The areas for living are super clean, friendly, and safe. Cary's jobs market is continuously growing, especially for those who are in the IT field. There are several local parks that have beautiful trailways and playgrounds if you have any children. There is a local movie theater with seats that are adjustable and allow the person sitting to recline all the way back if they so desire. Cary is a wonderful town to live in.
    It's a lovely community- no gaudy billboards or advertisements that get in your face, plenty of nature, a sweet little downtown with mom & pop shops, good restaurants, and good schools; quite frankly, I think we're experiencing an artistic and cultural renaissance down here! Our local Arts center is one of Cary's trademarks, and has garnered some beneficial urban development around it as well. I think it's a great setting for diversity and raising children, and has plenty of entertainment and resources to go around.