Cary vs Cranston
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Cranston
The Verdict
Living in Cary costs 2.8% less than Cranston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cary, you would need $77,123 in Cranston.
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 $77,123 in Cranston.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cranston equals $72,936 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Cranston
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Cranston's 135, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $395,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,375/mo in Cranston, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 103 in Cranston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $489/month in Cranston. 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 113 in Cranston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $452 in Cranston. 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 113 in Cary and 110 in Cranston. 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 $117,400 in Cary and $90,200 in Cranston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $82,752 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 $2,105/month in Cranston. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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