Burlington vs Cary
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Cary
The Verdict
Cary is 11.3% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Burlington would need approximately $67,373 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 Burlington has the same purchasing power as $67,373 in Cary.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cary equals $83,491 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Cary
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is lower Cary's 152, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $500,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,850/mo in Cary, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 101 in Cary. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $480/month in Cary. Cary offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 97 in Cary. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington 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 116 in Burlington and 113 in Cary. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $117,400 in Cary. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 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 $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $2,739/month in Cary. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/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 Utilities, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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