Cary vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Olympia
The Verdict
Cary is 5.4% less expensive than Olympia overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cary would need approximately $79,245 in Olympia 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 $79,245 in Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $70,982 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $495,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $499/month in Olympia. 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 Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 124 in Olympia. 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 $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $72,589 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases