Cary NC vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Cary
60.1%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 15.4% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 7.6% | 2.7% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $74,925 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $49,642 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.8% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 13.4% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 50.9% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 46.8% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 29.5% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.2% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 12.3% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.0% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.9% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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