Cary NC vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Madison
11.6%
White
Cary
60.1%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 11.6% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.6% | 7.1% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 8.0% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $76,983 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $48,557 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 16.2% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 59.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 46.6% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 32.7% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.5% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 7.9% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 20.8% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.2% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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