Cary vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cary
Stockholm
The Verdict
Stockholm is 9.3% less expensive than Cary overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cary would need approximately $68,632 in Stockholm 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 $68,632 in Stockholm.
Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $81,959 in Cary.
Living in Cary vs Stockholm
Housing Costs
Cary's housing index of 152 is higher Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $445,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Cary compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Cary and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Cary vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm 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 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Cary vs $352 in Stockholm. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Cary and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $110,755 and $51,546 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 $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases