Cary NC vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
New Haven
17.7%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Cary
7.6%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 132,893 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 17.7% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 36.8% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 5.2% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $53,771 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $34,482 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.7% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 25.0% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 37.7% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 28.4% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Cary, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 37.9% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.7% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.9% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 14.7% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.2% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Cary, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.1 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Cary, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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