Cary NC vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Cary
60.1%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 127,200 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 8.1% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 7.6% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 6.1% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Columbia
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Columbia
56.5%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $64,488 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $37,359 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.9% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 20.0% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 56.5% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 49.4% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 30.1% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 19.1% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.4% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.5% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.4% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. 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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