Cary NC vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Cary
60.1%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 9.1% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 7.6% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 7.2% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.9% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $90,685 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $47,372 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 8.4% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 40.4% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 64.9% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 36.5% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.8% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 16.7% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.3% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.1% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 25.0 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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