Cary NC vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Portland
11.1%
White
Cary
60.1%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 68,505 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 11.1% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 7.6% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 3.2% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.1% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Portland
$52,125
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Portland
59.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $76,174 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $52,125 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 11.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 59.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 46.7% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Portland
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 27.7% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 17.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 7.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.1% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Cary, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.3 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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