Triangle town named the second-most livable spot in the US, study says. Here’s why

Cary was tied as the second-best place to live on Livability’s new 2024 list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.

The high ranking is “due to its central location and its reputation for quality public schools, safe streets, a lively arts scene, dynamic restaurants (more than 200 and growing!) and a robust job market,” the report says.

“Plus, Cary is affordable, boasting the amenities of a much larger city but with a lower price tag. The charming neighborhoods are certainly a draw, as are the greenways and parks, arts venues, breweries, and exciting sporting events.”

Here are the report’s quick facts about Cary:

• Median household income: $127,724

• Median home value: $434,151

• Median property tax: $4,008

• Median monthly rent: $1,242

• Total population: 179,000

• Average commute: 21 minutes

Check out the report at livability.com/nc/cary. Livability also ranked Cary the second-most affordable city in North Carolina (behind Concord).

Here’s why Livability says Cary is so great.

Why is Cary one of the most livable cities in the US?

Livability dove into weather/outdoor activities, things to do and Cary’s economy. Here are some highlights from their findings:

• Weather: Mild winters (average high: 58 F) and hot, humid summers. July is the hottest month with average daily temperatures in the 80s. August is the wettest month and April the driest. Cary averages 216 sunny days a year.

• Outdoor activities: Hike Umstead State Park, fish at Bond Park or catch an outdoor show at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

• Free fun: Band, Bites and Boats is a free concert series with local food vendors (at a cost) at Bond Park’s boathouse.

• Things to do with kids: The annual NC Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth has a half-mile loop of huge LED lantern displays created in China, plus Chinese acrobat performances.

• Best open secret: La Farm Bakery is often named the best bakery in the state. Their breads and pastries are authentically French.

• Local love: Downtown Cary is filled with locally owned shops and boutiques, and the Cary Farmers Market highlights local goods and produce.

• Best restaurant: Herons at The Umstead Hotel and Spa pairs Cary’s serenity with upscale dining, and the restaurant has a reputation for featuring locally sourced ingredients for their American menu.

• Largest industries: Technology, health care and education

• Tax rate: 7.25%

• Major healthcare providers: WakeMed Cary Hospital is the largest provider.

Source: livability.com/nc/cary

Cary’s livability scores

Cary was tied for the second-most livable spot in the country (behind Carmel, Indiana and tied with Columbia, Maryland).

Livability’s “Quality of Life LivScore” is out of 1,000 — Cary scored 874. (Carmel only scored one point higher with 875.)

Here’s how the Triangle town ranked among each category (out of 100) in Livability’s report:

• Amenities = 64. Sample metrics include dining variety, museums, sporting events, stadiums and political engagement.

• Economy = 81. Sample metrics include industrial diversity, unemployment and income relative change.

• Education = 82. Sample metrics include school quality, years of school and college access.

• Environment = 80. Sample metrics include earthquake risk and climate suitability.

• Health = 86. Sample metrics include life expectancy and doctor/hospital access.

• Housing & Cost of Living = 74. Sample metrics include tax rates, percent below poverty level and rental/home affordability ratios.

• Safety = 62. Sample metrics include murder and larceny.

• Transportation = 76. Sample metrics include multimodal intersection density and vehicles per household.

Cary’s top categories are health, education and economy.

How did other NC cities rank?

Five other North Carolina spots were featured on the 100-city list. Here’s how they stacked up:

• Raleigh had a LivScore of 786, citing its environment, economy and transportation.

• Asheville had a LivScore of 773, citing its environment, transportation and amenities.

• Durham had a LivScore of 746, citing environment, transportation and economy.

• Winston-Salem had a LivScore of 714, citing its environment, housing/cost of living and transportation.

• Wilmington had a LivScore of 707, citing its transportation, education and amenities.

The cities and towns are not ranked in numerical order, as “there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the perfect place to live,” the report says. To dive deeper into the report’s methodology, visit livability.com/best-places.

Inspired by a story from The Sac Bee in Sacramento, California.

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