Every week I host guests at my Cary Hideaway who are here on reconnaissance missions—spending a long weekend scoping neighborhoods, visiting schools, and trying to answer one question: Is Cary really as good as the rankings say?
After watching hundreds of families fall for this town, here’s the honest truth about what makes Cary exceptional—and what you should know before making the move.
The Rankings Don’t Lie
Cary consistently dominates “best places to live” lists:
- #5 Best Place to Live in America (U.S. News & World Report, 2025-2026)
- #1 in North Carolina (multiple publications)
- #1 Best Place to Raise a Family in NC (Niche)
- #3 Best Job Market in the U.S. (SmartAsset, 2024)
With a population of ~186,000 and a 2.6% unemployment rate (versus 4.2% nationally), Cary delivers both quality of life and economic opportunity.
Schools That Actually Deserve the Hype
Wake County Public Schools serves Cary, and the numbers impress: 196 schools with a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, ranked #4 in North Carolina by Niche.
Top-rated Cary elementary schools:
- Highcroft Elementary (#2 in NC, 10-star rating)
- Davis Drive Elementary (#3 in NC)
- Green Hope Elementary (#4 in NC)
- Mills Park Elementary (Top 20)
Top high schools:
- Green Level High (A+, #4 in NC)
- Panther Creek High (A+, Top 10)
- Green Hope High (A)
School assignment depends on your address, so research specific neighborhoods carefully.
Neighborhoods Worth Exploring
Preston: The most prestigious address in Cary. Built around Prestonwood Country Club (three golf courses), homes range from $250,000 to $3 million.
MacGregor Downs: Established elegance on Lake MacGregor shores. Stately homes on large, wooded lots with access to a private country club.
Lochmere: One of Cary’s first master-planned communities—2,000+ homes built around lakes with three pools, a golf club, and mature landscaping. Near Whole Foods and Waverly Place.
Cary Park (West Cary): Newer development centered on a 28-acre lake with resort-style amenities. Homes from mid-$400s to nearly $1 million.
Amberly: Large master-planned community with a true neighborhood feel, including a 55+ section. Resort amenities and miles of trails.
The Job Market Reality
Cary’s economy benefits from proximity to Research Triangle Park—the largest research park in America, just 7 miles away. RTP hosts 375+ companies employing 60,000+ workers, including IBM, Cisco (5,000 employees), and GlaxoSmithKline.
Major employers headquartered in Cary include:
- SAS Institute: World’s largest privately-held software company with a 900-acre campus and 5,200 local employees
- Epic Games: Creator of Fortnite, currently building a massive new campus
Recent announcements: Apple ($1B campus), Google ($1B engineering hub), and Microsoft (2,500+ employees) are all expanding in the area.
Median household income: $129,399-$135,260—well above the national median of $79,466.
What to Expect Financially
Cost of living runs 7% above the national average, with housing about 18-23% higher. But compared to major tech hubs, Cary is remarkably affordable: 74% lower than San Francisco, 61% lower than New York, 41% lower than Boston.
Current housing snapshot:
- Median home value: ~$571,000
- Median list price: ~$743,000
- Median rent (2BR): ~$1,500/month
Planning Your Scouting Trip
Here’s my recommendation: book a long weekend at my Cary Hideaway and experience Cary like a local. Drive the neighborhoods during school pickup. Eat at La Farm Bakery (a James Beard-recognized institution). Walk the greenways connecting Bond Park to downtown. Grab coffee at BREW and people-watch.
The rankings tell you Cary is great on paper. A few days here shows you why people actually stay.
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