Cary vs Ogden
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Ogden
The Verdict
Living in Cary costs 0.9% less than Ogden. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cary, you would need $75,708 in Ogden.
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 $75,708 in Ogden.
Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $74,299 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Ogden
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Ogden's 112, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $385,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,250/mo in Ogden, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 92 in Ogden. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $437/month in Ogden. Ogden offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Cary and 80 in Ogden. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $320 in Ogden. 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 91 in Ogden. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $70,100 in Ogden. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $65,514 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 $1,636/month in Ogden. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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