Cary NC vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 60.1% | 35.5% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 6.9% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $62,894 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $41,142 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.7% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 19.7% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 36.0% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 42.0% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Cary, NC | Houston, 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 +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 38.0% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.9% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 17.1% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 24.0% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.6% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Cary, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 48.7 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Houston, 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
Cary +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 29.6 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Cary, NC vs New York, NYCary, NC vs Los Angeles, CACary, NC vs Chicago, ILCary, NC vs Phoenix, AZCary, NC vs Philadelphia, PACary, NC vs San Antonio, TX