Carrollton TX 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Carrollton +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Cary
23.7%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 39.8 | Carrollton + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 23.7% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 9.2% | 7.6% | Carrollton + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 9.3% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Cary
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Carrollton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.4% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Carrollton +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $629,864 | Carrollton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | 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.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while carrollton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,531. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Carrollton. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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