Cary NC vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 8.3% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 41.5% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 3.2% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $46,628 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $30,451 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.9% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 26.6% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 29.9% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 37.2% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 38.0% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 10.9% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.6% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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