Cary NC vs Edinburg TX — 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%
Edinburg, TX
Texas · Population: 102,561
- Median HH Income$57,789
- Median Home Price$217,077
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Edinburg
102,561
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Edinburg
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Edinburg
29.9
Edinburg +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Edinburg
19.5%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Edinburg
39.9%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Edinburg
1.9%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Edinburg
2.5%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Edinburg
85.8%
Edinburg +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Edinburg
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 102,561 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 29.9 | Edinburg + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 19.5% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 39.9% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 1.9% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 2.5% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 85.8% | Edinburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Edinburg
$57,789
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Edinburg
$27,278
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Edinburg
$63,758
Edinburg +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Edinburg
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Edinburg
25.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Edinburg
28.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $57,789 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $27,278 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Edinburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.6% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 25.7% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 28.9% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Edinburg
$217,077
Edinburg +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Edinburg
52.5%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $217,077 | Edinburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 52.5% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Edinburg
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Edinburg
2339
| Metric | Cary, NC | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Edinburg
42.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Edinburg
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Edinburg
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Edinburg
32.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Edinburg
18.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Edinburg
11.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 42.5% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 14.4% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 17.9% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 32.3% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.2% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Edinburg
74.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Edinburg
24.1 in
Edinburg +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 74.0°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 24.1 in | Edinburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Edinburg
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Edinburg
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Edinburg
22.3 min
Edinburg +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Edinburg, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.3 min | Edinburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while edinburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $217,077. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Edinburg. 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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