Cary vs Durham

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 $71,462 in Durham.

Conversely, $75,000 in Durham equals $78,713 in Cary.

Living in Cary vs Durham

Housing Costs

Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Durham's 104, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $340,000. The $160,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,404 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,400/mo in Durham, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 108 in Durham. 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 $57,738 in Durham. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $57,166 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 $1,347/month in Durham. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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