Cary, NC vs Fairfax, VA
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
Fairfax
70.4
#1102 nationally
Fairfax leads in walk score (54 vs 28). Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 2.5). Cary leads in cost of living index (125 vs 160).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Fairfax, VA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 70.4 (#1102) |
| Population | 180,010 | 25,144 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $787,568 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $128,708 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 2.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+35.0 |
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-
70.4 Score
Fairfax, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$787,568
Population
25,144
Crime
Low
Walk Score
54
Northeast
View Fairfax, VA →