Cary NC vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Saint Paul
17.9%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 18.7% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 53.2% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 17.9% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.1% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $73,055 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $41,594 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.9% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 15.8% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 43.5% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 53.2% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Saint Paul, 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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