Cary vs Lafayette
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Lafayette
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 17.8%, with Lafayette being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to $63,679 in Lafayette.
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 $63,679 in Lafayette.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $88,333 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Lafayette
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $214,000. The $286,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,100/mo in Lafayette, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $456/month in Lafayette. 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 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $388 in Lafayette. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 33-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 $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $68,778 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 $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 79 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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