Cary NC vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 19.0% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 53.7% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 3.9% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Phoenix
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $77,041 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $40,309 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.1% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 32.3% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 57.1% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Cary, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 32.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.8% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.2% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 17.3% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.2% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 72.1°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.7 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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