Cary, NC

Cary NC scores 85/100 on safety (well above average). Crime is about 56% below the national average. Most neighborhoods are fine for evening walks; still check the block you actually rent.

Detail: overall crime index 44 (100 = avg); violent crime index 23; property crime index 65. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Cary. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Cary is about $1,738/month (on the high side). At $1,738/month for a typical unit, you need about $62,568+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $580,200.

Median household income is $134,905, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($134,905) clears the $62,568 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 67°F (highs near 76°F, lows near 58°F).

You can be outside most of the year without extreme gear. Heating and cooling costs are usually moderate compared with hotter or colder metros. If you visit, go in winter or midsummer (not only in spring) to see the extremes.

Who tends to thrive in Cary: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 85/100) (2) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $134,905 helps carry housing costs) (3) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 85/100) (4) Households earning $62,568+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $1,738/month

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $1,738/month (2) Households expecting top marks on rent and safety at once (Cary does not clear every bar) (3) People who will not research ZIP-level crime maps before leasing

Income sniff test: clear about $62,568 household income for $1,738/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Cary holds up well on the core metrics we publish. Safety at 85/100 makes it a reasonable choice for households who can manage $1,738/month rent. Verify school ratings for your target ZIP separately.