Cary NC vs Columbus OH — 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, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Columbus
14.4%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Columbus
5.8%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 14.4% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 53.3% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 5.8% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.9% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Columbus
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Columbus
38.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $65,327 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $37,189 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,300 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.1% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 17.8% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 38.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 44.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1866 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Columbus
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Columbus
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 34.7% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.8% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 19.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.7% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.1% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 15.2% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.4 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 $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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