Cary NC vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 60.1% | 16.5% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 1.9% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $48,416 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $25,509 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 10.9% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 24.7% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 17.4% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 24.1% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Newark
14.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 35.9% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 14.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 20.0% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 23.4% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 18.2% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Newark
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 35.9 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Newark 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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