Livability Score

90
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (23) F
Kung Fu Tea
Coffee Shop
La Farm Bakery
Coffee Shop
McCafé
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Kababish Cafe
Coffee Shop
La Farm Bakery
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Caribou Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Crema Coffee
Coffee Shop
Boba Baba Tea Cafe
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
B&N Cafe (Starbucks)
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
New York Bages
Coffee Shop
Common Grounds Coffee House
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (17) F
Sertoma Amphitheatre
Theatre Arts
Unknown Name
Theatre Arts
Compost Education Center
Attraction
AMC Park Place 16
Cinema
Cary Arts Center
Theatre Arts
Amphitheater
Theatre Arts
The Cary Theater
Theatre Arts
Park West 14
Cinema
Cougar Stadium
Stadium
Paragon Theaters-Fenton
Cinema
Sahlen's Stadium
Stadium
Cinébistro
Cinema
Food and Drink (122) D-
Wendy's
Fast Food
The Corner Tavern & Grill
Bar
Quiznos
Fast Food
Nakato Express Japanese Cuisine
Fast Food
Miso Ramen Bar
Fast Food
Jersey Mike's Subs
Fast Food
Bruegger's Bagels
Fast Food
Back 9 Pub
Bar
The Wine Merchant
Beverages
McDonald's
Fast Food
Sip… A Wine Store
Beverages
Henry's Gelato
Fast Food
Papa Murphy's
Fast Food
ABC Stores
Alcohol
Jimmy John's
Fast Food
Wendy's
Fast Food
The Neighborhood Sports Bar and Arcade
Bar
Panera Bread
Fast Food
Chipotle
Fast Food
Serendipity Gourmet Deli
Deli
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Sweets
Smoothie King
Fast Food
Penn Station
Fast Food
Zoës Kitchen
Fast Food
Yolo Frozen Yogurt
Fast Food
Fitness (16) A+
Curves
Gym
Parish Center
Community Centre
Archangel Centre and Gallery
Community Centre
Cary Family YMCA
Gym
Pure Barre
Gym
Orangetheory Fitness
Gym
Hustle Fitness Center
Gym
Unknown Name
Gym
Morrisville Aquatic & Fitness Center
Gym
The Gregory Community Center
Community Centre
Planet Fitness
Gym
Gregory gym and workout center
Gym
Phase II
Gym
Life Time
Gym
Apex Senior Center
Community Centre
Apex Community Center
Community Centre
Unknown Name
Gym
Groceries (50) B
Harris Teeter
Grocery Store
Great Harvest Bread Co.
Bakery
Lowes Foods
Grocery Store
La Farm Bakery
Bakery
Food Lion
Grocery Store
The Fresh Market
Grocery Store
Annelore's German Bakery
Bakery
Food Lion
Grocery Store
Spices Hut Indian Groceries
Grocery Store
Food Lion
Grocery Store
Once in a Blue Moon Bakery and Cafe
Bakery
Omaha Steaks
Butcher
Rise Biscuits & Donuts
Bakery
Duck Donuts
Bakery
Publix
Grocery Store
Trader Joe's
Grocery Store
Trader Joe's
Grocery Store
CapriFlavors
Grocery Store
H Mart
Grocery Store
The Butcher's Market
Butcher
Sugar Buzz Bakery
Bakery
Walmart Neighborhood Market
Grocery Store
ALDI
Grocery Store
ALDI
Grocery Store
Harris Teeter
Grocery Store
Parks (174) A+
Bond Park
Park
Unknown Name
Park
Bond Park
Park
Lazy Daze Playground
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Bond Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Preston Soccer Complex
Park
Bond Park
Park
Dorothy Park
Park
Bond Park
Park
Annie Jones Park
Park
Annie L Jones Park
Park
Unknown Name
Park
dry avenue park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Lexie Lane Park
Park
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Unknown Name
Playground
Shops (190) A+
Cary Vision Care
Optician
AT&T
Electronics
Great Clips
Hairdresser
Intrex Computers
Electronics
GNC
Nutrition Supplements
myeyedr
Optician
Salon Saia
Hairdresser
CoArt Hair
Hairdresser
BookSmart Used Books
Books
Hitto Salon
Hairdresser
Trek
Bicycle
Unknown Name
Convenience Store
High House Food Mart
Convenience Store
Everything Dance
Clothing
Mitchell's Hair Styling
Hairdresser
Beverly Nails & Spa
Beauty
A1 Salon
Hairdresser
Preston Optometry Center
Optician
Preston Plaza Optometry
Optician
Lady Jane's Haircuts for Men
Hairdresser
Adore Designer Resale Boutique
Fashion
Joule Salon
Beauty
C-Mini Mart
Convenience Store
All Fun & Games
Toys
Absolute Computers
Electronics
See more Cary amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 0.3% take public transportation in Cary.
Public Transit Stops (230)
Stops & Stations
A+
High House Road & Darbytown Place
Bus Stop
Maynard Crossing
Bus Stop
Maynard Crossing
Bus Stop
High House Road & Northwest Maynard Road
Bus Stop
High House Road & Edgehill Parkway
Bus Stop
High House Road & Castalia Drive
Bus Stop
High House Road & Castalia Drive
Bus Stop
High House Road & Sourwood Forest Lane
Bus Stop
High House Road & Bond Park Drive
Bus Stop
High House Road & Bond Park Drive
Bus Stop
High House Road & Bayoak Drive
Bus Stop
High House Road & Old Apex Road
Bus Stop
High House Road & Old Apex Road
Bus Stop
Bond Park at Cary Senior Center
Bus Stop
Weatherstone Spring
Bus Stop
High House Road & Highland Village Drive
Bus Stop
Highland Village
Bus Stop
High House Road & Cary Parkway
Bus Stop
High House Road & Cary Parkway
Bus Stop
High House Road & West Chatham Street
Bus Stop
James Jackson Avenue 300 Block
Bus Stop
High House Road & West Chatham Street
Bus Stop
James Jackson Avenue 200 Block
Bus Stop
James Jackson Avenue at Cary Public Works
Bus Stop
James Jackson Avenue at Cary Public Works
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
0.3%
F
See more Cary commute data

cost of living D

The cost of living in Cary is 124/100 - which is 33% higher than North Carolina.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
B+
See more Cary cost of living data

crime A+

Cary crime rates are 1,185 per 100k, which is 52% lower than North Carolina
Property Crime
1,106 crimes per 100k
A-
Violent Crime
80 crimes per 100k
A+
See more Cary crime data

employment A+

The median income in Cary is $107,463 - which is 123% higher than North Carolina.
Med. Household Income
$107,463
A+
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
A+
See more Cary employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (111)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
Riccobene Family Dentistry
Dentist
CaryMed
Doctor
Unknown Name
Pharmacy
AFC Doctors Express Urgent Care
Clinic
Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Associates
Doctor
Cary Fire Station 4
Fire Station
Preston Dental Center
Dentist
Stanley Dentistry
Dentist
Parkway Primary Care
Doctor
Gurley, Ritter & Brogden Orthodontics
Dentist
Cary Dental Center
Dentist
Specialty Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Zaytoun Orthodontics
Dentist
Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine
Doctor
Generations Family Practice
Doctor
Lowery Smiles
Dentist
Pediatric Dentistry
Dentist
Wesley B. Smith, D.D.S.
Dentist
University Dental Associates
Dentist
Wynns Family Psychology
Doctor
Kulp Dermatology, P.A.
Doctor
Parkway Dental
Dentist
Kim A. Miller, D.D.S., P.A.
Dentist
David N. Williams, D.D.S.
Dentist
Parkway Sleep Centers
Doctor
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
D+
See more Cary health & safety data

housing A+

Cary home prices are $376,600 - which is 140% higher than North Carolina
Home Price
$376,600
A+
Home Appreciation Rate
18%
A+
Home Affordability
3.5x (home price to income ratio)
B-
See more Cary housing data

schools A-

The Cary graduation rate is 94% - which is 15% higher than North Carolina
School Test Scores
62%
C-
High School Grad. Rates
94%
A+
Elementary Schools (39) F
Cary Christian School
St Michael The Archangel Catholic School
Weatherstone Elementary
Grove School Of Cary
Chesterbrook Academy-Preschool And Elementary
Northwoods Elementary
Briarcliff Elementary
Laurel Park Elementary
Cary Elementary
West Cary Middle
Heartwood Montessori School
Peace Montessori School
Knowledge Beginnings School
Davis Drive Elementary
Davis Drive Middle
Kingswood Elementary
Hopewell Academy
Cardinal Charter Academy West Campus
Cardinal Charter Academy
Kaleidoscope Charter High
Salem Middle
Triangle Montessori Academy
Farmington Woods Elementary
East Cary Middle
Salem Elementary
High Schools (11) F
Cary Christian School
Heartwood Montessori School
Hopewell Academy
Cary High
Thales Academy Jh/Hs
Triangle Math And Science Academy
Green Hope High
Cary Academy
See more Cary education data

ratings B

Cary has an overall rating of 72% from 52 reviews.
User Reviews (7)
From AreaVibes
C+
User Surveys (45)
From AreaVibes
A+
See more Cary user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Cary Area Facts

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Cary Reviews

Write a review about Cary Tell people what you like or don't like about Cary…
A Southern branch of NYC (and Asia) 2.5 rating By Anonymous ( Mar 21, 2024) We moved from Miami Beach more than 10 years ago, Florida looking for the ease of buying a house, peace of mind, security and work. We sort of found that, but we didn't figure out what kind of partnership Cary has.
The New York atmosphere already existed, but in recent years it h
...Read More as been flooded with New Yorkers, New Jerseyans and now, Californians. What was left of Southern hospitality before 2014, in Cary, is almost extinct today. The people are cold, apathetic and rude, it is very noticeable in the businesses, the customer service is horrible, not to mention the way they drive. In addition, there is an enormous influence from other cultures that want to erase everything that is left of Southern and many times, erase what is American that remains. I say it with sadness, as an immigrant, they do not integrate, they want to change EVERYTHING, to their comfort without thinking about the traditions of the people who built North Carolina.
Cary, sadly, is like an advertisement, false, does not represent reality, cold and calculating. Not even the progressives who are in power in the city are faithful to their ideas, they are destroying everything natural that was left in the city. Killing thousands and thousands of animals and vegetation, in the name of progress (and collecting more taxes). Read Less
The definition of artificial. 1 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 19, 2021) I guess I can say that Cary is a nice place to live if you don’t care about character or charm to a city. It’s a rich suburb for middle age families. A lot of outdoor things to do, dining, and other things. For me though, this place is so new and built up, I wouldn’t even c ...Read More onsider living here. There’s no charm to living here. In addition, the people who call Cary home are, let’s just say, definitely not southern hospitable. In fact, I’d be offended is someone ever said Cary was a southern town. Read Less
I want to Move to Cary NC 5 rating By Anonymous ( May 12, 2020) I want to move to Cary NC for lots of reasons It's great to raise a family it has low crime great schools affordable housing everything is a great stat for this place except the cost of living although the houses look clean and this city proper looks modern or new there are hardl ...Read More y any vacant homes in Cary NC which is why I want to Move to Cary NC so that's all I got! Read Less
so simple to figure out if you look at all the other bad reveiws 1 rating By Anonymous ( Mar 23, 2020) so funny how when you look at all the reviews for a place, its always a constant theme around here. nobody can take away the beauty of this place! but positively this is exactly where it ends!!!!! and the constant theme is the character of the people being bland,,,,, but what it ...Read More really is, that this place was the birthing ground of every soul in this country who could absolutely give a crap about anything but themselves,,, the reviews always say slow.. its not slow!!! its I don't give a crap about you or hurring, cause I don't give a crap about anything, having owned a business here and dealing with vendors , workers, and suppliers, it is a CONSTANT THEME HERE, nobody gives a crap about anybody but themselves here, its in there walk, its in there talk, its in there facial expressions, its in every facet of everything here from gas stations to restaurants. absolutely nobody has any personality here,,,, because they do not want to, they are the most lifeless careless souls around, it will wear you down like a lead blanket, so depressing. this place was founded on affordable housing and tech, many years ago, there is nothing here anymore, houses are around 500k, Raleigh has absolutely nothing to excite anybody, durham same, beach is 2 hours away. and the mountains 4 hours away with no skiing. you wanna talk about a sinking ship, run from this place as fast as you can if you are a person who gives a crap about anything Read Less
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I want to Move to Cary NC 5 rating By Anonymous ( May 12, 2020) I want to move to Cary NC for lots of reasons It's great to raise a family it has low crime great schools affordable housing everything is a great stat for this place except the cost of living although the houses look clean and this city proper looks modern or new there are hardl ...Read More y any vacant homes in Cary NC which is why I want to Move to Cary NC so that's all I got! Read Less
so simple to figure out if you look at all the other bad reveiws 1 rating By Anonymous ( Mar 23, 2020) so funny how when you look at all the reviews for a place, its always a constant theme around here. nobody can take away the beauty of this place! but positively this is exactly where it ends!!!!! and the constant theme is the character of the people being bland,,,,, but what it ...Read More really is, that this place was the birthing ground of every soul in this country who could absolutely give a crap about anything but themselves,,, the reviews always say slow.. its not slow!!! its I don't give a crap about you or hurring, cause I don't give a crap about anything, having owned a business here and dealing with vendors , workers, and suppliers, it is a CONSTANT THEME HERE, nobody gives a crap about anybody but themselves here, its in there walk, its in there talk, its in there facial expressions, its in every facet of everything here from gas stations to restaurants. absolutely nobody has any personality here,,,, because they do not want to, they are the most lifeless careless souls around, it will wear you down like a lead blanket, so depressing. this place was founded on affordable housing and tech, many years ago, there is nothing here anymore, houses are around 500k, Raleigh has absolutely nothing to excite anybody, durham same, beach is 2 hours away. and the mountains 4 hours away with no skiing. you wanna talk about a sinking ship, run from this place as fast as you can if you are a person who gives a crap about anything Read Less
I Love Kickboxing 4.5 rating By elfielynn ( Apr 24, 2017) The I Love Kickboxing gym in Cary NC is amazing!!! The trainers are skilled, motivating, and make me feel like even I can do it!!! The other gym members are a great community of support as well. I am looking forward to my next fun and challenging class...Bring it on!Oh ya, and ...Read More Cary has been an awesome place for my husband (works in IT), myself (works in healthcare), and our 2 young children (tons of daycare options and a fantastic public school system)!!! Read Less
Nice for NE transplants..sucks for anyone else! 2 rating By peekeeko ( Apr 21, 2017) Comparing this area to Atlanta or any other city with tech jobs where there are suburbs with diversity and lots of retail..this place is horrible. Morrisvillem, next to RTP, is a 75% Indian community. There is a mass exodus of North-easterners to the area with 40+ moving here e ...Read More veryday so there is now an approved light-rail started. This growth has resulted in avg. of 30 acres of land destroyed daily. There must be over 200 apt. complexes in the RTP area and the rest 3 story condos and townhomes/patio homes in the $300k+ price range. The single family homes in Cary in the good school areas are over $500k and NONE of them have yards! None of the subdivisions have swim/tennis or playgrounds. There are no community pools or water parks so if your community does not have a pool(most do not) you are out of luck. Since CARY stands for "containment area for transplanted yankees", there are 2 Wegmans being built and 50-60% of the pop. is NE. The schools in Wake County cannot keep up with this growth so the elem/middle schools are a mix of year-round and traditional. If you get a year-round school in West Cary as we did, your child will be on 1 of 4 "tracks" with a schedule of 9 weeks on/3 weeks off on "track-outs" all year long. So every 9 wks. you have to find a "track-out" camp to send them to for about $200-400/wk if you work. If you have a child in middle school, they may be on a different "track" schedule. High schools are traditional since they cannot accommodate sports on this type of schedule. Then you have constant rezoning of schools every year. Our elem. school was zoned for Mills Park Middle and was rezoned for West Cary Middle the next yr. We would have not been happy had we purchased a home versus renting. In the RTP area you have 2 Target shopping centers and 1 movie theater....nothing else. Raleigh is a large town, not a city, so you do not have any ammenities for the 15-30 mile drive. No hospitals or access to healthcare either here...you have an ER-plex in Brier Creek and in Apex. Not to mention the maddening planes overhead from RDU. You will not be happy here unless you are leaving a high cost of living area such as NYC or San Francisco. Singles will die of boredom here. Read Less
The best city to live 4.5 rating By Alba ( Jun 29, 2013) I REALLY LOVE THIS PLACE AND I'M SUFFERING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO DUE TO A JOB TRANFER. I HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE FEBRUARY 2009 AND I JUST FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS TOWN. I NEVER SAW AN UNIQUE BEAUTY AND CLEANNESS LIKE THE ONE THIS PLACE OFFERS. I also fall in love with the aws ...Read More ome people I met here that I'll never forget. A place where values such as respect and courtesy still present. I hope with all my heart that I can return with my family to live here again. I love you Cary NC And I'll never forget this place that was part of God's plan for my life. Where I lived the most beautiful moments of my life. Read Less
Cary, North Carolina: The Best of Both Worlds 5 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 06, 2010) I moved to Cary ten years ago and find it a delightful place to live. Cary is a prosperous suburb with the largest retail shopping area in the state of North Carolina. A great attraction is Koka Booth Amphitheater in Regency Park. This beautiful outdoor venue is beside Symphony L ...Read More ake, surrounded by towering pine trees. The city of Cary is home to the USA Baseball National Training Complex. Outstanding players come from across America to participate in the program. Every summer, the largest arts and craft show in the southeast fills the streets of our picturesque village-like downtown. Lazy Daze accepts only the finest craftsmen. They come from many states to display their wares.

To me, Cary is the best of both worlds. Living here provides the opportunity to enjoy a friendly, small-city type atmosphere, but also have the resources of the state capital nearby. State science, history, and art museums, fairgrounds, IMAX Theater, NC State University, and much more are only a few miles away.

Occasionally, the traffic can be heavy in Cary. Some mid-summer days are warmer than we prefer, but there is never a reason to be bored. Read Less

How Do You Rate The Livability In Cary?

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Cary Awards

Compare Cary, NC Livability

      vs

      Cary, NC

      A suburban city that offers numerous amenities to make residents and visitors feel at home, Cary is located in Wake County. This is a city that is located right in the center of political action in the state of North Carolina as well as numerous festivals and special events. Even though Cary can feel like the restaurants, homes, and shopping centers are close together, the friendliness that you'll experience from the residents and the variety of activities can aid in spreading out across the city.

      The real estate numbers in Cary are a bit higher than in other areas of the state and the nation. Homes are owned by most residents in the state with a small percentage being rented. Many of the homes that are owned are located in the rural areas of Cary with rentals being found mostly near the city. Owned homes are usually older and feature charming details that make them stand out instead of following a template design.

      When you're in Cary, you'll feel like you belong and like you're a part of a large family. From the greetings that you get while you're walking on the sidewalks to the events that are held for all ages, you're sure to fit right in as soon as you arrive. The Koka Booth Amphitheater is home to several musical events during the year as well as movies for the family. The Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ festival is also held at the amphitheater.

      The schools in Cary are exceptional. They are rated at a level above others in the state of North Carolina and offer a variety of ways for students to engage with each other whether it's through sports or academic clubs. Universities in the area include Duke and NC State. Even though there are several colleges and universities in and near Cary, the students tend to stay on or near the campuses.

      If you enjoy four seasons during the year, then Cary has just what you need. The winter season, although filled with a few inches of snow, is usually mild compared to states to the north of North Carolina. Hurricanes are sometimes a threat if they are in the Atlantic, which is something to keep in mind during the summer months. Spring weather is usually filled with warmth, and the fall season tends to be filled with colorful leaves on the trees.

      Since Cary is located close to larger cities, it's beneficial to have a car so that you can easily travel from one location to another. If you work in the city, you can park in one of the garages and walk to where you want to go during your lunch break. Garages are usually open on the weekend as well so that you can walk around the city with your family, enjoying the fresh North Carolina air and the beautiful views of nature.

      A Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Cary? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Bond Park
      Unknown Name
      Bond Park
      Lazy Daze Playground
      Unknown Name
      Bond Park
      Unknown Name
      Unknown Name

      Entertainment

      Sertoma Amphitheatre
      Unknown Name
      Compost Education Center
      AMC Park Place 16
      Cary Arts Center
      Amphitheater
      The Cary Theater
      Park West 14

      Food & Drink

      Wendy's
      The Corner Tavern & Grill
      Quiznos
      Nakato Express Japanese Cuisine
      Miso Ramen Bar
      Jersey Mike's Subs
      Bruegger's Bagels
      Back 9 Pub

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Cary? Of all people who commute, 0.3% take public transportation in Cary.
      Drive to Work
      74%

      2% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      0%

      5% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      1%

      1% lower than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Cary a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      UNC REX Healthcare
      UNC REX Healthcare
      WakeMed Cary Hospital

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Harris Teeter Pharmacy
      Walgreens
      CVS Pharmacy
      Specialty Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Walgreens

      Doctors

      Care Pediatrics
      Carolina Aesthetics and Weight Loss Center
      Friendship Medical Center, P.A.
      North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine
      Triangle Kidney Associates, P.L.L.C.
      Triangle Physicians for Women Gynecology Office
      Western Wake Eye Center, P.A.
      Preston Medical Associates