Boulder 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Cary
60.1%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 39.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 81.8% | 60.1% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 9.3% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Cary
70.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 70.2% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $629,864 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Boulder, 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
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 25.3% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 59.4°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 46.3 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 24.3 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while cary offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $629,864. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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