Are you trying to decide where to live near Raleigh? Fuquay Varina and Cary both offer easy commutes and close-knit communities—but depending on your lifestyle and preferences, you’ll find one more desirable than the other. Read on to find out more.

Fuquay Varina is a town of around 37,000 located in southern Wake County. About a 35-minute drive from Raleigh, it’s a great choice if you want city access without the city hustle and bustle. This vibrant town has something for everyone, from walkable downtown living to estates with acreage. Here, you’ll find a close-knit community with a lively events calendar, farmers markets, and many opportunities for work and play.

Niche.com gives Fuquay Varina an overall grade of A, and reviews from residents comment on the quaint, small-town feel and how dedicated the community is to the people who live there. It’s a great place to be if you want to buy a home (over 70% of residents own their properties) and it receives top rankings in several categories for quality of life.

Sound like where you want to be?

7 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 3,215 square feet
Listed by Gretchen Coley • Compass — Raleigh
Listed by Devin Curlings • Compass — Raleigh
TMLS #2487300

4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 3,284 square feet
Listed by Gretchen Coley • Compass — Raleigh
Listed by Devin Curlings • Compass — Raleigh
TMLS #2495509

5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 3,061 square feet
Listed by Gretchen Coley • Compass — Raleigh
Listed by Devin Curlings • Compass — Raleigh
TMLS #2495504

4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,604 square feet
Listed by Gretchen Coley • Compass — Raleigh
Listed by Devin Curlings • Compass — Raleigh
TMLS #2493428

4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3,114 square feet
Listed by Gretchen Coley • Compass — Raleigh
Listed by Devin Curlings • Compass — Raleigh
TMLS #2492396

Ranked the #2 best place to live in North Carolina, Cary is a city of approximately 177,000 people. Niche.com gives it especially high rankings for Housing, Jobs, and Health & Fitness. Living here, you’ll enjoy many independent coffee shops and delicious restaurants as well as access to parks and outdoor recreation. Surveyed residents called Cary “excellent,” and many reviews commented on the feeling of peace and security in the area. Others recommended the seasonal community festivals that occur throughout the year.

Homes in Cary are typically more expensive than those in Fuquay Varina. The current average home value in Fuquay Varina is $413,584 (up 7.9% year-over-year) while Cary’s is $558,144 (up 6.5% year-over-year). Cary might be a better choice for you if you prefer a city vibe over small-town living, as its population is almost 5 times larger than Fuquay Varina’s. Cary is also closer to Raleigh—about a 20-minute drive compared to 35. This means easier access to Raleigh’s world-class entertainment, shopping, and dining options—but maybe less peace and quiet.

Think Cary is the spot for you?

3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,181 square feet
Listed by Meredith Kisner • EXP Realty LLC
TMLS #2496003

4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4,093 square feet
Listed by Mary Ott • Ott Real Estate
TMLS #2495816

3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,460 square feet
Listed by Daniel Qiao • HHome Realty LLC
TMLS #2495788

4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,878 square feet
Listed by Lisa Skumpija • Absolute Realty Company, LLC
TMLS #2495836

4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 5,222 square feet
Listed by LaKecia Richardson • Keller Williams Preferred Realty
Listed by Eric Anderson • Keller Williams Preferred Realty
TMLS #2495516

Let us help. We’ve worked with over 2,000 families in the Triangle area, and we’re here to help you plan your move. Everything from where to buy your next home to which trusted vendors to hire—the Coley Group has your back. Fill out the form below, and let’s get started.

All listings provided courtesy of TMLS.

Last updated on 21 Feburary 2023 at 6:04PM.

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