Cary NC vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cary
176,686
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 10.7% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 48.7% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 2.3% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Wilmington
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $57,673 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $35,074 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.9% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 17.9% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 37.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 54.6% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Wilmington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Wilmington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 31.9% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.7% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 17.4% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.6% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.5% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.2% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Cary, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 63.8°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 58.4 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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