Cary, NC, located in the Raleigh, NC metro area, is one of the best cities for Renters in the country.
In a 2024 study, USA TODAY Homefront ranked 315 U.S. cities to find the best city for renters, and the Town of Cary, NC came out on top, surpassing Raleigh at No. 11.
The study used 19 key metrics to determine the best cities for renters based on the best cost incentives and optimal quality of life benefits. Researchers compared cost of rent, renter incomes, rental inventory with number of bedrooms, prevalence of others renting, schools, daycares, restaurants, crime rates, recreation, walkability, pet friendliness, and more.
Cary was named No. 1 because of its affordability, high-paying job market, low crime, access to recreation, and good schools.
The town also won the “Best City for Renting Families” category. There are nearly seven childcare facilities per 1,000 children, and Research Triangle Park provides ample job opportunities. This makes Cary a popular spot among millennials to settle down with their families.
Cary was in the Top 5 for two other categories, as well: No. 2 for “Best City for Renters with Pets” and No. 4 for “Best City for Single Renters” – both thanks to a high walkability score.
Nine other North Carolina cities ranked in the top 190. For comparison, the lowest rank was Menifee, California with a score of 53.1 and a typical rent of $2,682.
| Rank | City | Score | Typical Rent |
| 1 | Cary, NC | 100 | $1,719 |
| 11 | Raleigh, NC | 90.7 | $1,684 |
| 37 | Wilmington, NC | 85.6 | $1,732 |
| 69 | Concord, NC | 81.6 | $1,783 |
| 76 | Durham, NC | 80.9 | $1,676 |
| 103 | Winston-Salem, NC | 79.0 | $1,459 |
| 107 | Charlotte, NC | 78.5 | $1,787 |
| 121 | Fayetteville, NC | 77.6 | $1,359 |
| 134 | Greensboro, NC | 76.7 | $1,363 |
| 184 | High Point, NC | 73.8 | $1,531 |
Whether you are looking for a place to rent, property management services, or someone to sell your commercial real estate, the team at Barker Realty can help. With over 40 years as a local, family-owned business in Raleigh, Cary, and Wake County, you can trust you are working with a real estate company that strives to provide personal attention and exemplary service. Contact us online or call 919-859-0044.
Overall:
| Rank | City | Typical Rent | Annnual Renter Income | Percentage of Renters Rent-Burdened | Percentage of Rental Vacant |
| 1 | Cary, NC | $1,719 | $73,872 | 42.3% | 18.3% |
Families:
| Rank | City | Percentage of Renters that are Families | Percentage of Rentals (Two Bedroom or More) | Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents | School Score | Childcare per 1,000 Kids Under 5 |
| 1 | Cary, NC | 22.5% | 68.1% | 10.5 | 8 | 6.8 |
No. 4 Best City for Single Renters:
| Rank | City | Percentage of Rentals (Studio or One Bedroom) | Percentage of Population Age 20–39 | Walkability Score | Bars per 1,000 Residents |
| 1 | Cary, NC | 22.5% | 68.1% | 8 | 6.8 |
Cary also ranked No. 2 for best city for renters with pets:
| Rank | City | Percentage of Pet-Friendly Rentals | Walkability Score | Percentage of Vacant Rentals | Percentage of Residents Renting |
| 1 | Overland Park, Kan. | 58.4% | 35 | 9.4% | 40.6% |
| 2 | Cary, NC | 29.6% | 28 | 18.3% | 33.1% |
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests,
but also to the interests of others..."
Phil. 2:4
