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NC area data

Cary, NC

Aggregated across 2 ZIP codes in Cary.

Population: 80,200 (Census ACS)

The median home value in Cary, NC is $535,918 — down 1.6% over the past year. Homes sell for a median $528,500 after a median 24 days on market. Typical rent runs $1,638/month. 14 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively High, with hail, heatwave, icestorm the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 7.5% below the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$535,918

Median home value

-1.6%

1-year change

24

Median days on market

Relatively High

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$535,918
1-year appreciation
-1.6%
3-year appreciation
+2.4%
5-year appreciation
+28.8%
10-year appreciation
+84.8%
All-time peak (2024-12)
$552,666
House Price Index (state)
438.2 (+1.0% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

Median sale price
$528,500
Median list price
$534,500
Median price per sqft
$268
1-year sale-price change
-3.4%
Median days on market
24 days
Homes sold (recent period)
140
For-sale inventory
259
Sale-to-list ratio
100.0%
Active listings
95
1-year forecast
+0.3%
Days to pending
30 days
New listings (monthly)
98

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Rents

Typical rent
$1,638/mo
1-year rent change
+1.3%
Studio fair-market rent
$1,540/mo
1BR fair-market rent
$1,615/mo
2BR fair-market rent
$1,770/mo
3BR fair-market rent
$2,220/mo
4BR fair-market rent
$2,970/mo

Sources: market rent index (ZIP-level) · HUD Fair Market Rents (metro/county-level, 40th-percentile regulatory reference)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Below Average)
92.5 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
14.0¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$16.40/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
14
Elementary schools
9
Middle schools
3
High schools
1
Charter schools
2
School districts serving the area
Triangle Math and Science Academy, Wake County Schools, Cardinal Charter
Schools include
Triangle Math and Science Academy, Adams Elementary, Briarcliff Elementary, Cary Elementary, Cary High

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively High
Top hazards (county)
hail, heatWave, iceStorm, inlandFlooding, lightning
Notable hazard ratings (county)
coldWave: Relatively Moderate · drought: Relatively Low · earthquake: Relatively Low · hail: Relatively High · heatWave: Relatively High · hurricane: Relatively Moderate
FEMA flood zone (varies by location)
includes X
Flood risk level
Minimal
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 26% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
53.9%
Radon potential (county)
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
2
Nearest Superfund site
Koppers Co., Inc. (Morrisville Plant) (3.7 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Average annual temperature
79.0°F
Average high
80.0°F
Average low
78.0°F
Annual precipitation
49.8 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
8a (extreme annual low 10 to 15°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Good
Median AQI (annual)
49
Days with Good air quality
190
Days with Moderate air quality
170
Highest AQI recorded (year)
130

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Walkability & transit

Walkability index
15.2 / 20
Transit service frequency
814
Jobs reachable by car (30 min)
70,898
Jobs reachable by transit (45 min)
49,874

Source: EPA Smart Location Database (metropolitan block groups)

Amenities

Airports within 30 mi
50
Nearest airport
Cox Airport (4 mi)
Nearest major airport
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) (5 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
175
Hospitals include
ST VINCENT'S BIRMINGHAM, MOBILE INFIRMARY MEDICAL CENTER, MEDICAL WEST, AN AFFILIATE OF UAB HEALTH SYSTEM
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
3.8 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
5.0 / 5
Solar radiation rating
Fair (4.5 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
+2,663 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,989
Housing built before 1970
8.2%
Housing built 2000 or later
24.1%
Median annual property tax
$3,491
Mean commute to work
15 min
Households with broadband internet
89.8%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
555,964
Average weekly wage
$1,452
Top industries (by employment)
Professional Services, Health Care, Accommodation & Food
Annual residential building permits (county)
9,552

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

CaryState medianUS median
Median home value$535,918$287,250$289,727
Median sale price$528,500$330,000$325,000
Median days on market24 days70 days51 days
Typical rent$1,638/mo$1,686/mo$1,808/mo
Median annual property tax$3,491$1,366$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in Cary, NC?
$535,918.
What is the median sale price in Cary, NC?
$528,500.
How long do homes take to sell in Cary, NC?
Median days on market: 24 days.
What is typical rent in Cary, NC?
Typical rent: $1,638/month.
What is the natural-hazard risk in Cary, NC?
Overall risk: Relatively High (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: hail, heatWave, iceStorm, inlandFlooding, lightning.
Is Cary, NC in a flood zone?
Minimal (FEMA NFIP). Parts of the area include FEMA flood zone X; zones vary by location within the city.
What is the wildfire risk in Cary, NC?
Risk to homes is higher than 26% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in Cary, NC?
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near Cary, NC?
2 current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA). Nearest site: Koppers Co., Inc. (Morrisville Plant), 3.7 mi.
How many schools serve Cary, NC?
14 schools (9 elementary, 3 middle, 1 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
Is Cary, NC walkable?
Walkability index: 15.2/20 (EPA Smart Location Database).
What is the air quality in Cary, NC?
Good. Median AQI: 49. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in Cary, NC?
Regional Price Parity: 92.5 (100 = US average) (Below Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

ZIP codes in Cary

Selling a home in Cary, NC?

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents