Arvada CO vs Cary NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arvada
122,835
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Cary
39.8
Cary +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Cary
60.1%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 39.8 | Cary + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 82.8% | 60.1% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 9.3% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Arvada +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Cary
66.3%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $629,864 | Arvada + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 66.3% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 25.3% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.6% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while arvada offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $617,536. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Arvada, CO vs New York, NYArvada, CO vs Los Angeles, CAArvada, CO vs Chicago, ILArvada, CO vs Houston, TXArvada, CO vs Phoenix, AZArvada, CO vs Philadelphia, PA