Cary vs Charleston
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Charleston
The Verdict
Living in Cary costs 3.6% less than Charleston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cary, you would need $77,830 in Charleston.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cary has the same purchasing power as $77,830 in Charleston.
Conversely, $75,000 in Charleston equals $72,273 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Charleston
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Charleston's 127, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $380,000. 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: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,600/mo in Charleston, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 102 in Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $485/month in Charleston. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Cary and 99 in Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $396 in Charleston. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 104 in Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $117,400 in Cary and $65,872 in Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $59,884 respectively. Cary residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,739/month to housing in Cary vs $1,537/month in Charleston. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Charleston, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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