Cary vs Duluth
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Duluth
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.7%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to $60,142 in Duluth.
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 $60,142 in Duluth.
Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $93,529 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Duluth
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $268,000. The $232,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,084 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $470/month in Duluth. 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 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $376 in Duluth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $80,941 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 $1,605/month in Duluth. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 64 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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