Cary vs Hampton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Hampton
The Verdict
Living in Hampton costs 20.5% less than Cary. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cary, you would need $62,264 in Hampton.
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 $62,264 in Hampton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $90,341 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Hampton
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $243,000. The $257,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,704 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $447/month in Hampton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Cary and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $408 in Hampton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 106 in Hampton. 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 $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $67,500 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 $1,386/month in Hampton. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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