Trying to choose between Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs for your family? You’re not alone. Each town offers strong community amenities, different commute tradeoffs, and a range of neighborhoods and parks that feel tailor‑made for day‑to‑day life. In this guide, you’ll get clear, current context on schools, taxes, home prices, greenways, and commutes so you can zero in on the right fit. Let’s dive in.

At‑a‑glance comparison

• Commute times (ACS averages): Cary ~23 min, Apex ~25 min, Holly Springs ~29 min for a typical one‑way trip. Your route and time of day will shift this. Census QuickFacts for Cary
• Municipal tax rates (FY25–26, town portion only): Cary $0.34 per $100, Apex $0.356 per $100, Holly Springs $0.3435 per $100. Add Wake County’s rate to estimate a full bill. Cary budget page, Apex budget, Holly Springs taxes
• Home price context: ACS owner‑occupied medians sit in the low‑to‑mid $500Ks in Cary and Apex, with Holly Springs generally lower by ACS data. For current market signals, MLS vendor snapshots show Cary in the mid‑$500Ks and Apex in the low‑$500Ks in recent months (Redfin, Jan 2026). Methodologies differ, so use ACS for background and MLS for month‑to‑month pricing.
• Greenways and parks: Cary leads with an extensive, connected system and ongoing projects. Apex and Holly Springs are rapidly adding connectors and new park amenities. Cary’s WalkFriendly profile, Apex Middle Creek Greenway, Holly Springs greenways

Cary: close to corridors, rich amenities

Cary is a larger, high‑income suburb with a strong base of college‑educated households and a mean commute time of about 23 minutes. You’ll see everything from established neighborhoods with mature trees to master‑planned communities with amenities. Think townhomes, classic ranches, golf‑oriented enclaves, and premium gated pockets.

For buyers who prize shorter drives to RTP and access to shops, services, and parks, Cary often rises to the top. The town prioritizes connected sidewalks and greenways, which makes biking or walking to parks and schools more practical in many areas. Census QuickFacts and WalkFriendly provide helpful context.

Cary taxes and a quick bill example

• Town portion: $0.34 per $100 of assessed value. Cary budget page
• On a $400,000 assessment, the town portion is about $1,360. Add Wake County and any special districts for a full total.

Apex: small‑town feel, strong access

Apex blends a historic‑style downtown with active new subdivisions, offering a family‑friendly mix of housing choices. The mean commute is about 25 minutes, with many neighborhoods within a 20–30 minute drive to RTP or Raleigh depending on the route and rush hour.

Families often choose Apex for its balance of community events, neighborhood variety, and proximity to major corridors like US‑1, NC‑540, and NC‑55. Greenway links are expanding, including the Middle Creek Greenway project that will improve bike and pedestrian options. Apex Middle Creek Greenway

Apex taxes and a quick bill example

• Town portion: $0.356 per $100. Apex budget
• On a $400,000 assessment, the town portion is about $1,424. Add Wake County and any special districts for a full total.

Holly Springs: newer builds and growing parks

Holly Springs has seen rapid development, with many master‑planned neighborhoods, newer homes, and community amenities. The mean commute is about 29 minutes, which is typically longer if you drive daily to RTP or downtown Raleigh, but many buyers accept that tradeoff for newer housing, yard space, and amenities.

Parks and greenways are central here. Bass Lake and a voter‑approved parks bond are driving active trail and park expansion, which will continue to reshape walkability and recreation in coming years. Holly Springs greenways

Holly Springs taxes and a quick bill example

• Town portion: $0.3435 per $100, plus a small vehicle/decals fee on the Wake County bill. Holly Springs taxes
• On a $400,000 assessment, the town portion is about $1,374. Add Wake County and any special districts for a full total.

Schools: how to compare fairly

All three towns are served by the Wake County Public School System. Assignment is address‑based, so a town name alone does not determine the assigned schools. Use the district’s enrollment tools to confirm the exact schools for any property. Wake County Public School System

When you want objective performance context, review the NC School Report Cards. You can see indicators like academic growth, achievement, and participation in advanced courses. For a quick start, refer to the district finder and then open each assigned school’s report card. NC School Report Cards

Examples of high schools that serve different neighborhoods include Cary High, Green Hope, Panther Creek, Green Level, and Middle Creek in the Cary/Apex area, and Holly Springs High in Holly Springs. Always verify the exact assignment for your address.

Neighborhood styles you’ll find

Cary

• Established communities near downtown and around older lakes and golf, often with mature trees.
• Larger master‑planned areas with amenities, plus a broad mix of townhomes and single‑family homes.

Apex

• A blend of modest single‑family neighborhoods, townhomes, and newer subdivisions near major retail.
• A walkable downtown core with events and dining, surrounded by a range of price points.

Holly Springs

• Many newer subdivisions with community pools, playgrounds, and trail connections.
• A growing roster of parks and greenway segments anchored by natural draws like Bass Lake.

Commute and daily routes

Most Triangle commutes here hinge on your proximity to I‑40, US‑1, NC‑540, and NC‑55. Cary often offers the most direct options to RTP, while many Apex routes use US‑1 or NC‑540, and many Holly Springs routes connect through NC‑55 and NC‑540. Map your typical drives during peak hours before you buy, and test two or three routes for a fair comparison.

Greenways and weekend recreation

Cary’s connected greenway network is a major quality‑of‑life perk for many families, with documented existing miles and planned extensions. Cary’s WalkFriendly profile highlights the program’s scope. Apex is expanding links like the Middle Creek Greenway to enhance bike and pedestrian access. Apex Middle Creek Greenway Holly Springs is investing bond dollars into trail and park projects that build on destinations like Bass Lake. Holly Springs greenways

Home prices: how to read the numbers

Two data points help you read the market:

• ACS owner‑occupied value (Census): useful for long‑run neighborhood context. In Cary and Apex, this sits in the low‑to‑mid $500Ks, with Holly Springs generally lower by ACS data. Cary QuickFacts
• MLS snapshots: useful for current buyer costs. Recent snapshots showed Cary in the mid‑$500Ks and Apex in the low‑$500Ks as of Jan 2026 (Redfin). Vendors and months vary, so note the source and date when you compare.

Use both. The ACS figure helps you understand the longer‑term value profile of a community, while MLS data reflects month‑to‑month shifts that affect your offer strategy.

Taxes: simple math you can use

Property tax bills combine Wake County’s rate with your town’s rate if you live inside town limits, plus any special districts. For a quick apples‑to‑apples look at municipal burden only on a $400,000 assessed value:

• Cary town portion: about $1,360. Cary budget page
• Apex town portion: about $1,424. Apex budget
• Holly Springs town portion: about $1,374, plus a small vehicle/decals fee. Holly Springs taxes

To estimate your full annual bill, add the Wake County portion and any special district line items for your parcel.

A quick decision framework

• Prioritize the shortest commute and extensive town amenities: start in Cary. It offers shorter mean commutes and strong town services. Census QuickFacts for Cary
• Want a small‑town downtown vibe with a broad mix of school options: consider Apex. Many neighborhoods balance access and community character.
• Want newer construction, yard space, and growing park systems and can accept a longer drive: look at Holly Springs, where recent development and bond‑funded projects are shaping daily life.

How to choose your best‑fit neighborhood

Use this simple checklist as you tour homes:

1. School confirmation. Run the address through the WCPSS school finder, then open the NC School Report Cards for each assigned school to review growth and achievement data. WCPSS, NC School Report Cards
2. Commute test. Map two or three rush‑hour routes to your workplaces. Drive them if you can.
3. Price context. Ask for the latest MLS median for that neighborhood or zip and note the source and month alongside ACS values.
4. Tax estimate. Add the town portion to the Wake County rate for a realistic annual total.
5. Greenway and park plans. Check town project pages to see which connectors or park upgrades are coming soon in your target area.

Ready to tour with a clear plan, neighborhood short list, and verified data? Reach out to Alli Pepperling for client‑first guidance tailored to your family’s needs.

FAQs

What should families compare first across Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs?

• Start with commute tolerance, school assignments for a specific address, neighborhood style, and the town portion of the tax rate, then layer in MLS pricing for current costs.

How do I confirm the assigned schools for a specific home in Wake County?

• Use the district’s address lookup and then review each assigned school’s NC School Report Card for objective performance indicators. WCPSS, NC School Report Cards

Are taxes lower in one town than the others around Cary?

• Municipal portions are currently similar, with Cary at $0.34, Apex at $0.356, and Holly Springs at $0.3435 per $100; always add the Wake County portion to estimate your full bill. Cary, Apex, Holly Springs

Which town is best if I work in RTP?

• Cary often offers the most direct corridors and the shortest average commute, though exact drive times depend on your neighborhood’s access to I‑40, NC‑540, or NC‑55. Census QuickFacts for Cary

How do home prices compare right now among the three towns?

• ACS data places Cary and Apex owner values in the low‑to‑mid $500Ks and Holly Springs generally lower; recent MLS snapshots show Cary in the mid‑$500Ks and Apex in the low‑$500Ks, with Holly Springs showing strong demand; always check the vendor and month.

Where can I find details on greenway expansions that affect my neighborhood?

• Review each town’s project pages; good starting points include Cary’s WalkFriendly profile, Apex’s Middle Creek Greenway updates, and Holly Springs’ greenways hub. Cary, Apex, Holly Springs