Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Cary
39.8
Cary +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Cary
60.1%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 39.8 | Cary + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 77.2% | 60.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 9.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Cary
$64,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $64,590 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Boca Raton +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $629,864 | Boca Raton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 25.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | 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.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.3 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while boca Raton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $562,670. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
Compare More Cities
Boca Raton, FL vs New York, NYBoca Raton, FL vs Los Angeles, CABoca Raton, FL vs Chicago, ILBoca Raton, FL vs Houston, TXBoca Raton, FL vs Phoenix, AZBoca Raton, FL vs Philadelphia, PA