Cary, NC vs Oak Ridge, TN
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 Ridge
70.4
#1105 nationally
Cary leads in crime level (1.9 vs 8.0). Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $67,152). Cary leads in walk score (28 vs 18).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cary, NC | Oak Ridge, TN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.1 (#924) | 70.4 (#1105) |
| Population | 180,010 | 33,397 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $628,913 | $329,586 |
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $67,152 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 18 |
| Crime Level | 1.9 | 8.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | R+35.7 |
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
Oak Ridge, TN
Small Tennessee city with local appeal
Median Home
$329,586
Population
33,397
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
18
Southeast
View Oak Ridge, TN →