Cary NC vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 98,677 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 7.5% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 57.5% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 3.1% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $52,671 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $34,792 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.5% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 19.7% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 28.9% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 51.7% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 41.9% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 14.9% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.4% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 11.0% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.7% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Roanoke 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%.
Compare More Cities
Cary, NC vs New York, NYCary, NC vs Los Angeles, CACary, NC vs Chicago, ILCary, NC vs Houston, TXCary, NC vs Phoenix, AZCary, NC vs Philadelphia, PA