Cary NC vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
North Las Vegas
39.0
North Las Vegas +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Cary
7.6%
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
11.4%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 186,178 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 39.0 | North Las Vegas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 60.1% | 43.6% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 11.3% | North Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 11.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $58,874 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $35,069 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 9.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 16.8% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 23.9% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $407,146 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 41.2% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
North Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Cary, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Cary, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 33.8% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.2% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 20.7% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 19.6% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.1% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Cary, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 68.8°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.6 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while north Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in North Las Vegas. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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