Cary vs Lincoln
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Lincoln
The Verdict
Lincoln is 14.0% less expensive than Cary overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cary would need approximately $65,802 in Lincoln 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 $65,802 in Lincoln.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $85,484 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Lincoln
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $264,000. The $236,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,336 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $775.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $466/month in Lincoln. 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 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $372 in Lincoln. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 102 in Lincoln. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $77,312 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 $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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