Amsterdam vs Cary
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amsterdam
Cary
The Verdict
Cary is 0.9% less expensive than Amsterdam overall. A household earning $75,000 in Amsterdam would need approximately $74,299 in Cary to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $74,299 in Cary.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cary equals $75,708 in Amsterdam.
Living in Amsterdam vs Cary
Housing Costs
Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is lower Cary's 152, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $500,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,850/mo in Cary, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 101 in Cary. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $480/month in Cary. Amsterdam offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Amsterdam and 97 in Cary. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $388 in Cary. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Amsterdam and 113 in Cary. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,000 in Amsterdam and $117,400 in Cary. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $110,755 respectively. Cary residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,353/month to housing in Amsterdam vs $2,739/month in Cary. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases