Firstly why Cary, North-Carolina?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Cary
- State: North-Carolina
- Population: 174,721 people
- Cary’s quick summary would be Recognized for its high quality of life, extensive parks system, and vibrant downtown.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 8,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 12,000 annually
- Net Migration: -4000 less people annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 600
- Number of Homeless people: 200
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features good schools and family-friendly amenities attracting families
Perk #1: Cary Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 38%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 70%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is Asian
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $90,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Cary is $90,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $0 neutral cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & Cary’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 90 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,829
- Property Tax %: 0.85%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,600
- Rent for an average house: $2,200
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: MacGregor Downs
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Holly-Springs, and probably could include Fuquay-Varina
- Avg. Age of Homes in Cary: 32 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.5%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & Cary’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Cary are Technology, Healthcare, and Retail
- Cary Job Scene: healthy job market primarily in tech and education
- The General Tech Scene: developing tech community with emphasis on software development and IT services , ,
- Cary Resident’s pay $1,500 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Cary: 7%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 160 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 10
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Cary
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
- Freeway Access: Highway 64 runs through Cary linking it to the Triangle area
- Commute Time: 21 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic congestion on Kildaire Farm Road
- Transportation Score: 35 out of 100 described as Some Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Cary: 62,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.4
- No. of Car Washes: 4 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Cary: ncdot.gov/dmv
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 69 of 100
- Local Airport: Raleigh-Durham International
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: Cary’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Tornadoes
- General Weather in Cary is best described as features hot humid summers and mild winters with substantial annual precipitation
- Winter Weather in Cary i’d describe as mild with some rain
- Spring Weather in Cary can be described as mild with occasional rain
- Summer’s in Cary are mostly hot and humid
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Cary is usually mild and pleasant
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 21 days in summer
- Days in a row in Cary below Freezing: 7
- Average Annual Rainfall: 48 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality primarily due to suburban sanitation efforts
- Cary Winter Air generally good air quality but can fluctuate with seasons
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: Cary Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Cary 1
- While the number of trade schools inside Carys’s city limits are 2
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Cary Library
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & Cary Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 6 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Cary only Doctors is about 60
- Local Hospitals here is 4
- Full-time Cary only Police Officers is about 150
- Crime Rate Index: 25/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- Cary’s Monthly utility bill average is $100
- Cary’s Monthly Gym Membership: $40
- Cary’s Water Quality Score: 77
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Cary
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 5 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: affluent suburb with a focus on family and local events
- You might enjoy local music events at the Cary Arts Center
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Cary features family-friendly dining and casual bars creating a neighborhood-focused nightlife experience
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Cary
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Features a mix of casual dining and local eateries
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 25 scattered around Cary
- The Popular Sports Team is Cary High School
- Top Level Political Climate in Cary can be described as politically moderate suburb with a focus on family values
- Cary’s Longer standing religious establishment is Cary First Christian Church
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: Cary Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Cary has 25 Parks?
- Freeman Park is Cary’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Cary Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and parks
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: Cary Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Cary can be described as steady suburban life focused on family and community activities
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Cary exploring parks attending sports events community festivals
- The Cities people commute to from Cary are Raleigh 13 miles away Apex 6 miles away Morrisville 7 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about Cary or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: traffic congestion on Kildaire Farm Road. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Cary’s Tornadoes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If MacGregor Downs is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Cary are Raleigh 13 miles away Apex 6 miles away Morrisville 7 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 25 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Cary has 7 days in a row below freezing and 21 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Cary people have an average (positive or negative) $0 neutral cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
200 homeless people living in Cary. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general politically moderate suburb with a focus on family values could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Cary.
Retiree & Senior Life in Cary
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for property tax reductions based on income and age
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Searstone
- Cary Senior Center hosts a range of activities recreational programs and wellness services for older adults
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to Cary, North-Carolina?
If Cary, North-Carolina ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Cary, North-Carolina, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!