City Comparison

Cary vs Colorado Springs

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cary

North Carolina
106
Above Average
$500,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$117,400
Median Income

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

The Verdict

1.0%

Living in Colorado Springs costs 1.0% less than Cary. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cary, you would need $74,292 in Colorado Springs.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
152
Cary
115
Colorado Springs
Groceries
101
Cary
100
Colorado Springs
Utilities
97
Cary
93
Colorado Springs
Transportation
89
Cary
101
Colorado Springs
Healthcare
113
Cary
104
Colorado Springs

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cary has the same purchasing power as $74,292 in Colorado Springs.

Conversely, $75,000 in Colorado Springs equals $75,714 in Cary.

Living in Cary vs Colorado Springs

Housing Costs

Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Colorado Springs's 115, 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 $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 100 in Colorado Springs. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $475/month in Colorado Springs. 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 93 in Colorado Springs. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $372 in Colorado Springs. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 104 in Colorado Springs. 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 $64,712 in Colorado Springs. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $61,630 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 $1,510/month in Colorado Springs. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Colorado Springs is 1.0% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,292 in Colorado Springs, based on the cost of living difference.
Cary's housing index is 152 with median homes at $500,000, while Colorado Springs's is 115 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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