Cary vs Irvine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Irvine
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 40.4%, with Cary being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to $125,943 in Irvine.
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 $125,943 in Irvine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Irvine equals $44,663 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Irvine
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is lower Irvine's 294, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $1.1M. The $550,000 difference in home prices means roughly $35,748 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $3,000/mo in Irvine, a monthly difference of $1,150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 108 in Irvine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $513/month in Irvine. Cary 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 115 in Irvine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $460 in Irvine. 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 109 in Irvine. 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 $108,038 in Irvine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $60,696 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 $2,521/month in Irvine. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Irvine, median rent of $3,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 142 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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