Cary vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Kent
The Verdict
Cary is 22.6% less expensive than Kent overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cary would need approximately $96,934 in Kent to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $96,934 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $58,029 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Kent
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $595,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $518/month in Kent. Cary offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Cary and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $71,752 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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