Cary vs Richmond
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Richmond
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 2.9%, with Richmond being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cary has equivalent purchasing power to $72,877 in Richmond.
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 $72,877 in Richmond.
Conversely, $75,000 in Richmond equals $77,184 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Richmond
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Richmond's 108, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $300,000. The $200,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,996 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 Richmond, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 100 in Richmond. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $475/month in Richmond. 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 Richmond. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $388 in Richmond. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 100 in Richmond. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $50,120 in Richmond. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $48,660 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 $1,169/month in Richmond. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Richmond, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases