| Index | Cary | North Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 125 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 184 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 101 | 100 | 100 |
The cost of living in Cary affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Cary is 125, which is 25% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Cary may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Cary falls within this bracket.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Cary cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 84% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 36 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Cary. The feedback revealed that 44% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 56% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Cary is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Cary, for example, the median home price is 103.2% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 39.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Cary boasting a median household income of $163,086, which is 100.5% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Cary, healthcare costs are 0.9% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Cary comes in at 4% lower than the national average.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Cary, the groceries index is 0.9% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Cary are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $199,420 | $16,618 | $4,653 | $5,983 |
| Renters | $96,442 | $8,037 | $2,250 | $2,894 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 7.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 4.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Moncure, NC | 823 | 82 | 18.4% |
| Garner, NC | 31,549 | 106 | 5.7% |
| Durham, NC | 285,434 | 109 | 9.4% |
| Raleigh, NC | 482,278 | 115 | 14.5% |
| Fuquay-Varina, NC | 29,773 | 113 | 13.4% |
| Cary, NC | 173,346 | 125 | 24.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Springfield, MO | 173,433 | 88 | 12.2% |
| Corona, CA | 173,134 | 154 | 54.0% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 172,375 | 134 | 33.5% |
| Sherbrooke, QC | 170,686 | n/a | |
| Oshawa, ON | 176,009 | n/a | |
| Cary, NC | 173,346 | 125 | 24.6% |
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