CARY

Last updated: October 2026

Cary, North Carolina is a large, planned suburb in western Wake County, between Raleigh and Research Triangle Park, with a small slice in Chatham County. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Cary's population at about 183,582 as of July 2025, up 5.0% from 174,787 in 2020. Cary is known for well-kept neighborhoods, lots of parks and greenways, and a downtown that has been rebuilt around a new downtown park.

People who move to Cary usually want strong schools, a short commute to RTP and a polished suburban feel. If you're still deciding, start with everything you actually need to know about living in Cary, NC and what to watch before moving to Cary.

Cary neighborhoods

Cary neighborhoods range from established areas like Lochmere and MacGregor Downs to golf communities like Preston and newer homes in West Cary near Green Level. Our guide to which part of Cary fits you compares each side of town by price, commute and lifestyle.

• Which Part of Cary, NC Fits You? Lochmere, Preston, West
• Is Cary NC Right for You? Its Best Neighborhoods
• Moving To Cary NC: Where To Live
• Condo and Townhome Living in Cary, NC
• Luxury Homes in Cary, NC: What Buyers Expect
• Building New in Cary, NC
• Cary, NC Historic Districts: Buying and Renovating
• Green Homes in Cary, NC: Upgrades and Incentives
• Accessible and Universal Design in Cary
• Imagine Cary Plan: How It Affects Buying in Cary
• Floodplains and Stormwater Rules in Cary, NC
• Cary's Evolution and What It Means for Housing

What homes cost in Cary

According to Redfin, the median sale price in Cary, NC was about $645,000 as of August 2026, down 0.8% from a year earlier, with homes taking around 25 days to sell. That makes Cary one of the more expensive places to buy in the Triangle, above Apex and well above Raleigh.

	Cary, NC	Apex, NC	Raleigh, NC
Median sale price	$645,000	$614,593	$420,000
Change from a year earlier	Down 0.8%	Up 1.6%	Down 6.7%
Median days on market	25	30	39
Homes sold in August	692	374	1,447

Source: Redfin housing market data for Cary, Apex and Raleigh, August 2026.

Cary homes sell quickly, so buyers need to be ready when the right house comes up. Read the ultimate home buyer's guide for Cary, NC and how Cary's cost of living compares with nearby markets.

Schools in Cary

Public schools in Cary are part of the Wake County Public School System, and Cary is one of the most popular parts of the county for families. Cary-area high schools include Cary, Green Hope, Panther Creek and Green Level.

Wake County assigns schools by address and assignments can change as the county grows, so check any Cary address with the Wake County school assignment tool before you make an offer. Our Cary, NC schools and real estate buyer's guide explains how schools affect home values in Cary.

Commuting from Cary

Cary is one of the closest suburbs to Research Triangle Park, and the morning drive from many Cary neighborhoods to RTP takes about 15 to 20 minutes. I-40, I-540, US 1/64 and NC 147 connect Cary to RTP, RDU International Airport, Raleigh and Durham.

Commute times still vary a lot by which side of Cary you live on. See our Cary to Research Triangle Park commute guide and how Cary's roads and transit affect property values.

Things to do in Cary

Cary is built around parks and events. Downtown Cary Park anchors a busy downtown, Koka Booth Amphitheatre hosts concerts and the summer symphony series, Fred G. Bond Metro Park has a lake and trails, and WakeMed Soccer Park is home to professional soccer.

Cary also has a strong food and festival scene and a long greenway network. Read Cary's culinary and culture scene, health care access in Cary and 15 facts about living in Cary.

Working in Cary

Cary has its own major employers, including SAS Institute and Epic Games, both headquartered in Cary, and it sits next to the thousands of jobs in Research Triangle Park. Many Cary residents also commute to Raleigh, Durham and Morrisville.

If you work in RTP or at Duke, Durham is worth comparing with Cary. See our guide to living in Durham, NC.

If you're relocating for work, read what a Cary relocation concierge does, and if you're a military family, see PCS to Cary, NC: a relocation blueprint.

Buying or selling in Cary

Buyers in Cary are competing for well-located homes that sell in about 25 days, so get pre-approved and know your must-haves before you tour. These Cary guides can help buyers and sellers:

• When inventory and demand peak in Cary
• How to tour homes in Cary, NC
• 3D tours and smart-home features in Cary
• The complete home seller's blueprint in Cary, NC
• The Cary listing marketing playbook
• How we sell homes in Cary, NC
• 3 Cary, NC home sale case studies
• Sell and buy at the same time in Cary
• When to sell in Cary, and how
• Downsizing in Cary, NC for homeowners 55+
• Selling a home during divorce in Cary
• Probate and estate real estate in Cary
• Building and renovating in Cary, NC
• Cary real estate through 2030 to 2035

Thinking about investing in Cary? Start with the investor guide to Cary, NC, short-term vs long-term rentals in Cary, short-term rental rules in Cary, the Cary landlord's playbook, Cary foreclosures and auctions, leasing vs buying land in Cary, from raw dirt to closings in Cary, Cary commercial and mixed-use and adaptive reuse in Cary.

Frequently asked questions about Cary

What is the median home price in Cary, NC?

According to Redfin, the median sale price in Cary, NC was about $645,000 as of August 2026, down 0.8% from a year earlier. Homes in Cary sold in about 25 days on average.

How far is Cary from Raleigh?

Cary borders Raleigh to the west, and downtown Cary is about 10 miles from downtown Raleigh. The drive usually takes 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic.

Is Cary, NC growing?

Yes. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Cary's population at about 183,582 as of July 2025, up 5.0% from 174,787 in 2020. Most new growth in Cary is happening on the west side near Green Level and the Chatham County line.

Is Cary or Apex better for buyers?

Cary and Apex are priced close together. Redfin put Cary's median sale price at about $645,000 and Apex's at about $614,593 in August 2026. Cary is a little closer to RTP and has more established neighborhoods, while Apex has more new construction and a small historic downtown.

Is Cary or Morrisville better for buying a home?

It depends on your budget and commute. Read is Morrisville or Cary better for buying a home and Cary vs Wake Forest for side-by-side comparisons.

Thinking about Cary?

We're Brandy and Lance Nemergut with Be Sunshine Realty Group at eXp Realty, and we help people relocate to Cary and the rest of the Raleigh area every week. Start with our Cary guides or call or text us at 919-583-6895 and we'll walk you through the neighborhoods that fit your budget.