Cambridge MA 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Cary
23.7%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 39.8 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 23.7% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 10.5% | 7.6% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 9.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Cary
$64,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Cary
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Cary
70.2%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $64,590 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 70.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $629,864 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Cary
25.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Cary
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Cary
6.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Cary
7.7%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 25.3% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 8.6% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 6.2% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 7.7% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | 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.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
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, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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