Retiring in Cary, NC

Retirement city profile: climate, cost of living, healthcare, safety and more

87°/33°

Climate (Summer/Winter)

$631,046

Housing (Typical Value)

72.1

Safety (Violent Crime/100,000)

5 of 5

Healthcare (Hospital Rating)

Is Cary Right for Your Retirement?

With a reported population of 176,686, Cary offers a mid-size city setting for retirement planning. This profile brings its climate, housing, reported crime, healthcare access, walkability and natural hazard exposure into one view so you can evaluate the tradeoffs.

Potential Strengths

Lower violent crime
Lower property crime
Strong hospital access
Low wildfire risk
Low earthquake risk

Potential Tradeoffs

Hot summers
Wet climate
Higher housing costs
Elevated riverine flooding risk
Elevated tornado risk
Elevated ice storms risk

Potential advantages. The reported violent crime rate is 72.1 per 100,000, 80% below the 359.1 per 100,000 US median. The reported property crime rate is 1325.7 per 100,000, 25% below the 1760.1 per 100,000 US median. The nearest hospital is Wakemed Cary Hospital, 1.4 miles away. Its CMS quality rating is 5 of 5. FEMA and NOAA assign lower risk designations to wildfire and earthquake.

Potential tradeoffs. The average June through August high is 87°F. Annual precipitation is 48.3 inches. The typical home value is $631,046, 70% above the $371,774 US median. Median gross rent is $1,621 per month, 16% above the $1,400 per month US median. FEMA and NOAA assign elevated risk designations to riverine flooding, tornado and ice storms.

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Climate

Summer high (Jun-Aug avg)87°F

Winter low (Dec-Feb avg)33°F

Annual snowfall4.8"

Annual precipitation48.3"

Housing & Cost of Living

Typical home value (ZHVI)$631,04670% above the $371,774 US median

Median gross rent$1,621/mo16% above the $1,400/mo US median

Safety (Reported Crime)

Violent crime rate72.1 /100,00080% below the 359.1 /100,000 US median

Property crime rate1325.7 /100,00025% below the 1760.1 /100,000 US median

Motor vehicle theft rate118.3 /100,000

Healthcare Access

Nearest hospitalWakemed Cary Hospital (1.4 mi)

Hospital quality★★★★★ (5 of 5)

Primary care accessStrong (1,157 residents/physician)

Walkability

EPA Walkability Index10.6/20 (Above Average)

Population & City Size

Population176,686Classified as a mid-size city

Elevation394 ft

Natural Disaster Risk

Riverine floodingRelatively High

Coastal floodingN/A

TornadoRelatively High

HurricaneRelatively Moderate

WildfireVery Low

EarthquakeRelatively Low

Ice stormsRelatively High

TsunamiN/A

Sources & Freshness

Crime: FBI UCR/NIBRS · Climate: NOAA Climate Normals · Natural disaster risk: FEMA National Risk Index & NOAA · Hospital location & distance: HIFLD · Hospital quality rating: CMS Hospital Compare · Primary care access: HRSA county-level provider data · Home value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) · Rent: Census ACS place-level data · Population & elevation: US Census Bureau · Walkability: EPA National Walkability Index.
National median/average figures used for comparison (home value, rent, crime, precipitation) are recalculated annually from the same source datasets above.
Data last refreshed: August 2026.
Figures are comparative indicators and may not reflect neighborhood-level conditions. Confirm current housing, healthcare and hazard information with the cited sources before making a relocation decision.

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