Cary, NC vs Elmhurst, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Elmhurst
73.4
#734 nationally
Elmhurst leads in walk score (48 vs 28). Cary leads in average commute (22.8 min vs 27.8 min). Elmhurst leads in crime level (1.6 vs 1.9).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Elmhurst, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 73.4 (#734) |
| Population | 180,010 | 45,336 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $647,169 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $143,492 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 27.8 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+13.3 |
C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →
C
73.4 Score
Elmhurst, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$647,169
Population
45,336
Crime
Low
Walk Score
48
Midwest
View Elmhurst, IL →