City Comparison

Cary vs Greeley

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cary

North Carolina
106
Above Average
$500,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$117,400
Median Income

Greeley

Colorado
113
Above Average
$420,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$72,500
Median Income

The Verdict

6.2%

Living in Cary costs 6.2% less than Greeley. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cary, you would need $79,953 in Greeley.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
152
Cary
136
Greeley
Groceries
101
Cary
95
Greeley
Utilities
97
Cary
89
Greeley
Transportation
89
Cary
110
Greeley
Healthcare
113
Cary
97
Greeley

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cary has the same purchasing power as $79,953 in Greeley.

Conversely, $75,000 in Greeley equals $70,354 in Cary.

Living in Cary vs Greeley

Housing Costs

Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Greeley's 136, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $420,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,275/mo in Greeley, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 95 in Greeley. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $451/month in Greeley. Greeley 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 89 in Greeley. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $356 in Greeley. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 97 in Greeley. 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 $72,500 in Greeley. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $64,159 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 $1,692/month in Greeley. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Greeley, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cary is 6.2% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,953 in Greeley, based on the cost of living difference.
Cary's housing index is 152 with median homes at $500,000, while Greeley's is 136 with median homes at $420,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases