Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Broken Arrow +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Cary
60.1%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Broken Arrow +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 39.8 | Broken Arrow + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 68.4% | 60.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 9.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Cary
66.3%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $629,864 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 66.3% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Cary
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 24.3 min | Broken Arrow + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Broken Arrow. 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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