Cary vs Davenport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Davenport
The Verdict
Davenport is 27.7% less expensive than Cary overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cary would need approximately $58,726 in Davenport 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 Cary has the same purchasing power as $58,726 in Davenport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Davenport equals $95,783 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Davenport
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Davenport's 60, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $212,000. The $288,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $900/mo in Davenport, a monthly difference of $950.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 97 in Davenport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $461/month in Davenport. 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 83 in Davenport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $332 in Davenport. 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 97 in Davenport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $66,200 in Davenport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $79,759 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 $1,545/month in Davenport. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 92 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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