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North Carolina · City Profile
Cary, NC
Cary sits in Wake, North Carolina, and is covered by 5 ZIP code tabulation areas. Across those ZIPs, an estimated 165,223 people live, work, and commute. Demographic and housing figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2018–2022).
Each ZIP code in Cary has its own character. Some are dense and walkable; others are exurban or rural, with single-digit households per square mile. The list below lets you compare the basic shape of each one — population, income, and home value — before clicking through to the full neighborhood profile.
Across the city overall, the typical owner-occupied home is valued near $479,125 and median asking rent runs around $1,505 per month. Median household income hovers around $121,855. These are averages of ZIP-level medians and will read differently depending on which neighborhood you actually settle in — which is precisely what the per-ZIP pages are for.
ZIP codes in Cary
| ZIP | County | Population | Median income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27511 | Wake | 32,880 | $98,474 | $373,200 |
| 27512 | Wake | 0 | — | — |
| 27513 | Wake | 47,195 | $116,669 | $432,500 |
| 27518 | Wake | 19,102 | $117,647 | $546,200 |
| 27519 | Wake | 66,046 | $154,632 | $564,600 |
Thinking about relocating to Cary?
A few practical considerations as you evaluate the move:
- Pick the ZIP, not just the city. Median income, school assignments, walkability and crime patterns can vary dramatically between neighboring ZIPs in the same city. Use the per-ZIP pages to compare.
- Compare housing math honestly. The median home value here is $479,125, and median rent is $1,505. At current mortgage rates, that often makes renting the more flexible option for the first 12–24 months while you learn the neighborhoods.
- Verify the commute. Drive your prospective work or school route at peak time — Google Maps optimistic estimates rarely match what locals actually experience.
- Check the boring stuff. Property tax rates, HOA dues, flood-zone designation, and homeowner's insurance availability are easier to research before you sign than after.