Cary gives a new franchise strong household spending power and a stable, growing customer base. Its median household income is $135,132, more than 60% above the U.S. median of about $81,600 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey).
About 181,800 people now live here in the Research Triangle. The Raleigh–Cary metro had North Carolina’s lowest unemployment rate, 3.0% in December 2025, below the national rate of 4.1% (NC Department of Commerce; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Major employers like SAS Institute anchor a workforce in technology and life sciences, giving a local franchise a base of customers with steady incomes.