Cary NC vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Cary
60.1%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 19.9% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 7.6% | 6.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 17.2% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.2% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Seattle
67.5%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $121,984 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 9.9% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 67.5% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $871,599 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 44.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Cary, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 15.3% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.0% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 28.8 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while cary offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $629,864. On public safety, Seattle 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 Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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