Cary NC vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 75,721 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 60.1% | 48.7% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 2.2% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 6.8% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Renton
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.1% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 5.8% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $765,686 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 45.2% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Cary, NC | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Renton
8.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.0% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.1% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.1% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.9% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.4 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while cary offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $629,864. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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