Cary NC vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 135,806 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 60.1% | 49.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 7.1% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $107,474 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $64,382 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.9% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 9.5% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 51.7% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cary +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $708,498 | Cary + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 47.5% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Stamford
8.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 25.5% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 14.4% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 12.3% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Cary, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 53.2 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 30.1 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, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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