Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 176,686 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.8 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 39.9% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 46.9% | 7.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 9.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $629,864 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 46.3 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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