Cary vs Orlando
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Orlando
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.0%, with Orlando being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to $70,755 in Orlando.
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 $70,755 in Orlando.
Conversely, $75,000 in Orlando equals $79,500 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Orlando
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Orlando's 104, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $320,000. The $180,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,700 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,650/mo in Orlando, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 103 in Orlando. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $489/month in Orlando. 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 97 in Orlando. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $388 in Orlando. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 96 in Orlando. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $48,080 in Orlando. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $48,080 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 $1,122/month in Orlando. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Orlando, median rent of $1,650/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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