Cary 74 Excellent
Cary Livability #247 ranked city in Illinois#4,646 ranked city in the USARanks better than 84% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Cary

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Cary?

Cary is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 18,372 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (93% White). Given that fact, Cary could be considered less diverse than other cities. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Cary entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 30 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Cary, Illinois. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Cary and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Cary to Illinois and the national average.

With a livability score of 70 out of 100, Cary is ranked #6,607 in the United States and #322 in Illinois. For each of the livability categories, we know that Cary ranks very well for crime (B+), education (B-) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Cary does not have favorable grades for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Cary has a violent crime rate of 11 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Cary excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that Cary meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Cary. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Cary are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Cary come in at $445,066, which is 44.2% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Cary, the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 20% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Cary

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Cary?

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Compare Cary, IL Livability

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      Cary transportation information

      Statistic Cary Illinois National
      Average one way commute30min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.2%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.4%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.8%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.6%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home10.0%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Cary, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.