City Comparison

Cary vs New Haven

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cary

North Carolina
106
Above Average
$500,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$117,400
Median Income

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

The Verdict

10.2%

Living in Cary costs 10.2% less than New Haven. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cary, you would need $83,491 in New Haven.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
152
Cary
137
New Haven
Groceries
101
Cary
106
New Haven
Utilities
97
Cary
124
New Haven
Transportation
89
Cary
102
New Haven
Healthcare
113
Cary
114
New Haven

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cary has the same purchasing power as $83,491 in New Haven.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $67,373 in Cary.

Living in Cary vs New Haven

Housing Costs

Cary's housing index of 152 is higher New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $250,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,400/mo in New Haven, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $504/month in New Haven. 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 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $496 in New Haven. 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 114 in New Haven. 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 $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $35,727 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 $984/month in New Haven. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cary is 10.2% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,491 in New Haven, based on the cost of living difference.
Cary's housing index is 152 with median homes at $500,000, while New Haven's is 137 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases