Cary, NC vs Oak Lawn, 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
Oak Lawn
76
#400 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 4.9). Oak Lawn leads in walk score (58 vs 28). Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $77,221).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oak Lawn, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 76 (#400) |
| Population | 180,010 | 55,734 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $301,108 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $77,221 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 31.8 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 58 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 4.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+42.0 |
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
76 Score
Oak Lawn, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$301,108
Population
55,734
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
58
Midwest
View Oak Lawn, IL →