Cary NC vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Columbus
39.3%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Columbus
8.3%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 204,383 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 35.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 39.3% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 46.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 2.6% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Columbus
$56,622
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Columbus
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Columbus
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Columbus
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Columbus
29.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $56,622 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $32,811 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.5% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 18.8% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 29.7% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Columbus
50.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 50.2% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Columbus
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Columbus
16.1%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 40.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.5% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 19.1% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 14.8% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.1% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
Columbus
49.6 in
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 64.4°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 49.6 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. 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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