Cary NC vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 11.6% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 53.6% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 4.1% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $62,995 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $36,194 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.2% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 15.7% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 34.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 55.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.8 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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).
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