Cary vs Dublin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Dublin
The Verdict
Dublin is 1.9% less expensive than Cary overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cary would need approximately $73,585 in Dublin 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 $73,585 in Dublin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dublin equals $76,442 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Dublin
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Dublin's 128, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $470,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $2,125/mo in Dublin, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 95 in Dublin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $451/month in Dublin. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Cary and 110 in Dublin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $440 in Dublin. 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 82 in Dublin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-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 $56,000 in Dublin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $53,846 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 $1,307/month in Dublin. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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