Cary vs Lexington

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 $65,802 in Lexington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $85,484 in Cary.

Living in Cary vs Lexington

Housing Costs

Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $245,000. The $255,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,572 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $456/month in Lexington. 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 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $364 in Lexington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 94 in Lexington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $59,837 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 $1,298/month in Lexington. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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