2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Cary, NC vs Wilmington, NC

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Wilmington, is 52% less than it is in Cary and is 28% below the National Average.
- Cary unemployment rate is 3.1%.
- Wilmington unemployment rate is 4.3%.
 Cary, NCWilmington, NCUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.3%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock0.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth44.6%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes7.3%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock5.3%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$55,710  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$54,066$69,021
 Family Median Income$140,789  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Cary, NCWilmington, NCUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock14.8%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K1.1%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock9.5%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K4.2%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock8.4%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K5.4%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock9.5%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K11.6%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock12.5%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K13.3%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock7.7%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Cary, NCWilmington, NCUnited States
 Management, business, finance25.6%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock5.5%6.5%
 Community, social services2.0%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock1.0%1.2%
 Education, library7.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock2.8%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology6.4%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock1.9%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement0.8%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock9.4%5.4%
 Building maintenance1.6%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock3.4%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support16.1%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.3%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair2.8%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock8.5%13.1%
Reviews for Cary    63 Reviews

Cary is up-and-coming “cool.” The downtown is revitalized and growing. The town takes urban planning very seriously. The home prices have definitely spiked in the last  More

   |    Reply

Over 8 years ago

I've lived in NY, CT, MA, and in Miami FL. Now here in Cary NC for the past 10 years. For what I want and need at this phase of my life, I really like it here! All the  More

   |    Reply

Over 8 years ago

As a Real Estate Agent, I consider Cary the most central location in the Triangle, it basically takes you twenty minutes to get to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough,   More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Cary

Reviews for Wilmington    71 Reviews

I was born here and I will update more at a later time. First and most important, teh average cost of a 1br apt in Wilmington is approximately $1,800. Rentals have  More

   |    Reply

I think that a lot has changed since covid for this city and will continue to keep changing with our insane economy. But I was born and raised in Wilmington and have  More

   |    Reply

Scotty · 

Wilmington NC was once a wonderful city filled with Southern charm, history, safety and natural beauty. Recently that has been replaced by erasing everything Southern or  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Wilmington


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.