Cost of living in Cary

Cary, United States is Very expensive overall. Monthly costs are about $2383 for one person and $5666 for a family of four, including rent.

How expensive is Cary compared to other cities?

Cary is 67% more expensive overall versus the European benchmark.

How does Cary compare to your city?

Cary is 38% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Cary is, on average, 43% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Cary?

Who is Cary a good fit for?

Cary is most realistic when moving with a strong job offer or relocation package. Without high income, the housing-driven price level can be difficult to sustain.

FAQ

Why is Cary so expensive?

The main driver of Cary's high cost is rent and utilities, which significantly impact overall living expenses.

Is food expensive in Cary?

Yes, food costs are 36% higher compared to the European benchmark.

Is public transport affordable in Cary?

Public transport is 28% lower than the European benchmark, making it relatively affordable.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
2383 $
Without Rent
890 $
Rent & Utilities
1492 $
Food
648 $
Transport
54 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
6359 $
GDP per Capita
81,695 $
Freedom Index
8.39
Lifespan
77 years
Speak English
96%
Population
175.0K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 15.1 $
Dinner 88.4 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.53 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.95 $
Capuccino 5.72 $
Coke, 330ml 2.74 $

Compare Cary with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.07 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 5.15 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.83 $
Eggs, 12 pack 4.52 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 15.7 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.5 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 11 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.4 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.17 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.5 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.73 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.32 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.53 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.33 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.35 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 13.9 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.74 $
Cigarette pack 7.79 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 1.19 $
Monthly Pass 39.6 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 0.83 $
Taxi, 8 km 16.9 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 153 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 9.45 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 4.43 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 4.01 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.44 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 124 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 191 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 54.4 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,307 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 2,246 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,339 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,779 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 2,966 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 2,71 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 6,359 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.41%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 64.7 $
Cinema, 1 seat 12.5 $
Haircut 21.6 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 139 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 37.3 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,521 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 21,730 $

Compare Cary with other top cities

Cayman Islands
Cary vs George Town (George Town is 53% more expensive)
Bahamas
Cary vs Nassau (Nassau is 16% more expensive) Cary vs Freeport (Freeport is 8% less expensive)
Vanuatu
Cary vs Port Vila (Port Vila is 1% less expensive) Cary vs Luganville (Luganville is 28% more expensive)
United States
Cary vs New York City (New York City is 70% more expensive) Cary vs Los Angeles (Los Angeles is 34% more expensive) Cary vs Chicago (Chicago is 12% more expensive) Cary vs Houston (Houston is 6% less expensive) Cary vs Phoenix (Phoenix is 1% less expensive) Cary vs Philadelphia (Philadelphia is 7% more expensive) Cary vs San Antonio (San Antonio is 8% less expensive) Cary vs San Diego (San Diego is 40% more expensive) Cary vs Dallas (Dallas is 7% more expensive) Cary vs San Jose (San Jose is 54% more expensive)
Canada
Cary vs Toronto (Toronto is 8% more expensive) Cary vs Montreal (Montreal is 18% less expensive) Cary vs Calgary (Calgary is 10% less expensive) Cary vs Ottawa (Ottawa is 6% less expensive) Cary vs Edmonton (Edmonton is 25% less expensive) Cary vs Winnipeg (Winnipeg is 26% less expensive) Cary vs Mississauga (Mississauga is 4% more expensive) Cary vs Vancouver (Vancouver is 11% more expensive) Cary vs Brampton (Brampton is 11% less expensive) Cary vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 10% less expensive)
Barbados
Cary vs Bridgetown (Bridgetown is 43% less expensive) Cary vs Holetown (Holetown is 42% less expensive)
Panama
Cary vs Panama City (Panama City is 42% less expensive) Cary vs Colon (Colon is 50% less expensive) Cary vs Tocumen (Tocumen is 48% less expensive) Cary vs Santiago de Veraguas (Santiago de Veraguas is 56% less expensive) Cary vs David (David is 65% less expensive) Cary vs La Chorrera (La Chorrera is 60% less expensive) Cary vs Balboa (Balboa is 48% less expensive) Cary vs Pacora (Pacora is 48% less expensive) Cary vs Chitre (Chitre is 54% less expensive) Cary vs Penonome (Penonome is 54% less expensive)
Saint Kitts And Nevis
Cary vs Basseterre (Basseterre is 48% less expensive) Cary vs Cayon (Cayon is 48% less expensive)
Cuba
Cary vs Havana (Havana is 57% less expensive) Cary vs Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba is 41% less expensive) Cary vs Holguin (Holguin is 46% less expensive) Cary vs Camaguey (Camaguey is 36% less expensive) Cary vs Santa Clara (Santa Clara is 56% less expensive) Cary vs Bayamo (Bayamo is 51% less expensive) Cary vs Guantanamo (Guantanamo is 35% less expensive) Cary vs Las Tunas (Las Tunas is 35% less expensive) Cary vs Pinar del Rio (Pinar del Rio is 54% less expensive) Cary vs Cienfuegos (Cienfuegos is 63% less expensive)
Costa Rica
Cary vs San Jose (San Jose is 48% less expensive) Cary vs Limon (Limon is 50% less expensive) Cary vs Liberia (Liberia is 62% less expensive) Cary vs Alajuela (Alajuela is 48% less expensive) Cary vs Puntarenas (Puntarenas is 46% less expensive) Cary vs Cartago (Cartago is 60% less expensive) Cary vs Heredia (Heredia is 48% less expensive) Cary vs Tamarindo (Tamarindo is 29% less expensive) Cary vs Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa is 45% less expensive)
Saint Lucia
Cary vs Castries (Castries is 51% less expensive) Cary vs Vieux Fort (Vieux Fort is 50% less expensive)
Jamaica
Cary vs Kingston (Kingston is 44% less expensive) Cary vs Spanish Town (Spanish Town is 67% less expensive) Cary vs Montego Bay (Montego Bay is 57% less expensive) Cary vs Half Way Tree (Half Way Tree is 51% less expensive) Cary vs May Pen (May Pen is 66% less expensive) Cary vs Mandeville (Mandeville is 59% less expensive) Cary vs Old Harbour (Old Harbour is 64% less expensive) Cary vs Linstead (Linstead is 56% less expensive) Cary vs Savanna-la-Mar (Savanna-la-Mar is 53% less expensive) Cary vs Port Antonio (Port Antonio is 52% less expensive)
El Salvador
Cary vs San Salvador (San Salvador is 50% less expensive) Cary vs Santa Ana (Santa Ana is 70% less expensive) Cary vs Soyapango (Soyapango is 51% less expensive) Cary vs San Miguel (San Miguel is 55% less expensive) Cary vs Mejicanos (Mejicanos is 51% less expensive) Cary vs Apopa (Apopa is 52% less expensive) Cary vs Santa Tecla (Santa Tecla is 50% less expensive) Cary vs Ahuachapan (Ahuachapan is 39% less expensive) Cary vs Usulutan (Usulutan is 54% less expensive) Cary vs Sonsonate (Sonsonate is 63% less expensive)
Antigua And Barbuda
Cary vs St. John's (St. John's is 55% less expensive) Cary vs All Saints (All Saints is 55% less expensive)
Grenada
Cary vs St. George's (St. George's is 55% less expensive) Cary vs Grenville (Grenville is 55% less expensive)
Dominica
Cary vs Roseau (Roseau is 58% less expensive) Cary vs Portsmouth (Portsmouth is 52% less expensive)
Saint Vincent
Cary vs Kingstown (Kingstown is 59% less expensive) Cary vs Georgetown (Georgetown is 58% less expensive)
Belize
Cary vs Belize City (Belize City is 63% less expensive) Cary vs San Ignacio (San Ignacio is 54% less expensive) Cary vs Belmopan (Belmopan is 69% less expensive) Cary vs San Pedro Town (San Pedro Town is 44% less expensive) Cary vs Caye Caulker (Caye Caulker is 34% less expensive)
Guatemala
Cary vs Guatemala City (Guatemala City is 58% less expensive) Cary vs Mixco (Mixco is 73% less expensive) Cary vs Coban (Coban is 62% less expensive) Cary vs Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango is 67% less expensive) Cary vs Jalapa (Jalapa is 62% less expensive) Cary vs San Miguel Petapa (San Miguel Petapa is 62% less expensive) Cary vs Momostenango (Momostenango is 63% less expensive) Cary vs Mazatenango (Mazatenango is 63% less expensive) Cary vs Flores (Flores is 64% less expensive) Cary vs Panajachel (Panajachel is 67% less expensive)
Honduras
Cary vs Tegucigalpa (Tegucigalpa is 65% less expensive) Cary vs San Pedro Sula (San Pedro Sula is 56% less expensive) Cary vs Choloma (Choloma is 75% less expensive) Cary vs La Ceiba (La Ceiba is 73% less expensive) Cary vs El Progreso (El Progreso is 63% less expensive) Cary vs Villanueva (Villanueva is 64% less expensive) Cary vs Comayagua (Comayagua is 70% less expensive) Cary vs Puerto Cortes (Puerto Cortes is 70% less expensive) Cary vs Yoro (Yoro is 69% less expensive) Cary vs La Lima (La Lima is 63% less expensive)
Dominican Republic
Cary vs Santiago de los Caballeros (Santiago de los Caballeros is 67% less expensive) Cary vs Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo is 56% less expensive) Cary vs Puerto Plata (Puerto Plata is 68% less expensive) Cary vs Higuey (Higuey is 68% less expensive) Cary vs La Vega (La Vega is 76% less expensive) Cary vs San Cristobal (San Cristobal is 65% less expensive) Cary vs San Pedro de Macoris (San Pedro de Macoris is 69% less expensive) Cary vs San Francisco de Macoris (San Francisco de Macoris is 78% less expensive) Cary vs San Juan de la Maguana (San Juan de la Maguana is 74% less expensive) Cary vs Bonao (Bonao is 77% less expensive)
Nicaragua
Cary vs Managua (Managua is 68% less expensive) Cary vs Leon (Leon is 73% less expensive) Cary vs Masaya (Masaya is 70% less expensive) Cary vs Matagalpa (Matagalpa is 77% less expensive) Cary vs Chinandega (Chinandega is 73% less expensive) Cary vs Esteli (Esteli is 75% less expensive) Cary vs Granada (Granada is 71% less expensive) Cary vs Jinotega (Jinotega is 81% less expensive) Cary vs Juigalpa (Juigalpa is 72% less expensive) Cary vs San Juan del Sur (San Juan del Sur is 63% less expensive)