Cary NC vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Cary
60.1%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 14.1% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 7.6% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 5.2% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Minneapolis
$50,605
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Minneapolis
54.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $80,269 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $50,605 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.7% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 16.4% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 54.4% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 48.0% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 28.6% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 17.1% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.9% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.8% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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