Cary NC vs Columbia 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 138,019 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 5.1% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 49.9% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 2.7% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.7% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Columbia
46.1%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $55,653 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $38,087 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $54,550 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 23.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 46.1% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 47.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Columbia
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Columbia
1999
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, 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 +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Columbia
13.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 34.4% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.1% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 19.2% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 13.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.7% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.0% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 66.7°F | Cary + |
| 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
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 18.6 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 $229,993. On public safety, Columbia 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 Columbia 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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