Cary vs Portland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Cary
Portland
💡 The Verdict
Cary is 22% cheaper than Portland overall. A $75,000 salary in Cary is equivalent to $95,588 in Portland.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Cary (left) vs Portland (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Cary versus Portland. Differences shown from Cary perspective.
| Item | Cary | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,020/mo | $1,250/mo | $-230.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,340/mo | $1,800/mo | $-460.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,790/mo | $2,360/mo | $-570.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.65 | $2.94 | $-0.29 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.62 | $4.04 | $-0.42 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.77 | $3.41 | $-0.64 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.88 | $5.89 | $-0.01 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.45 | $3.71 | $-0.26 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16.45 | $20.61 | $-4.16 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cary has the same purchasing power as $95,588 in Portland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $58,846 in Cary.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $2549 difference is driven by Oregon having a higher state income tax rate. North Carolina details → · Oregon details →
Reading These Numbers: Cary (102) vs Portland (130)
Cary at 102 is 2% above the US average, while Portland at 130 is 30% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Cary, the composite index of 102 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 104, followed by groceries (96), utilities (92), transportation (106), and healthcare (94). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,340/mo in Cary and $1,800/mo in Portland, the annual rent difference is approximately $5,520.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $27,600.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $162,000.0 difference in median home prices between Cary and Portland translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Cary vs Portland
Choosing between Cary and Portland involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Cary and Portland can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.