Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Austin
59.9%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 176,686 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 39.8 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 59.9% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.5% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 9.3% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $629,864 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.6% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 59.4°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 46.3 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. 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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