Cary, NC vs Jacksonville, NC
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
Jacksonville
72.4
#896 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 12.5). Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $50,185). Jacksonville leads in average commute (15.1 min vs 22.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Jacksonville, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 72.4 (#896) |
| Population | 180,010 | 72,879 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $264,179 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $50,185 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 15.1 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 24 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 12.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | R+35.9 |
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-
72.4 Score
Jacksonville, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$264,179
Population
72,879
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
24
Southeast
View Jacksonville, NC →