Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Bellevue +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Cary
23.7%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Cary
20.4%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 39.8 | Bellevue + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 23.7% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 2.2% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 20.4% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 9.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Cary
$129,399
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Cary
$64,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Cary
70.2%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $129,399 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $64,590 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 70.2% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $629,864 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Cary
12.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Cary
6.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Cary
7.7%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 25.3% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 8.6% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 12.8% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 6.2% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 7.7% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | 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.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while cary offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $629,864. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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