Cary NC vs Charleston SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Charleston
152,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Cary
60.1%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 152,014 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 5.4% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 7.6% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 2.2% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.9% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Charleston
$58,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Charleston
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Charleston
57.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $90,038 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $58,583 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $54,550 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 12.0% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 57.7% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $593,739 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 55.6% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Charleston
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Charleston
1999
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Charleston
28.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Charleston
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Charleston
15.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Charleston
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Charleston
9.5%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 28.7% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.5% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 15.1% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.7% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 22.9% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.5% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Cary, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 65.9°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 51.0 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.4 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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