Cary NC vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Cary +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Cary
60.1%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Plymouth
10.1%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 79,526 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 40.7 | Cary + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 13.6% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 7.6% | 5.0% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 10.1% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.7% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Plymouth
64.8%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 64.8% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Plymouth
$514,358
Plymouth +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $514,358 | Plymouth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Plymouth
8.5%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.5% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.5% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.5 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while plymouth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $514,358. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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