Cary NC vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Overland Park
36.6
Overland Park +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Overland Park
10.7%
White
Cary
60.1%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Overland Park
4.2%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 143,720 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 36.6 | Overland Park + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 10.7% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 7.6% | 4.9% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 4.2% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Overland Park
$112,232
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Overland Park
$48,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Overland Park
5.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Overland Park
49.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $112,232 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $48,655 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 5.6% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 49.4% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Overland Park
$487,466
Overland Park +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $487,466 | Overland Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Cary, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Overland Park
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Overland Park
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Overland Park
12.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Overland Park
6.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Overland Park
9.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 30.0% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.2% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 12.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 6.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.9% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 9.0% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while overland Park offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,466. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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