Median rent is 2% lower in Cary ($1,621/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Austin, where the median home runs $512,700 versus $525,200. Households earn more in Cary ($129,399 vs $91,461 a year). Taken together, Cary is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 98.8 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Cary, NC.
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Cary, NC
How much would you need to earn in Cary, NC to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
Equivalent salary in Cary, NC
$74,631
You could earn $369 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Cary
North Carolina
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,655/mo in Austin and $1,621/mo in Cary. Median home values are within 2% of each other: $512,700 in Austin and $525,200 in Cary.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while North Carolina tops out at 4.50% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 4.75% in North Carolina; Cary has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Cary
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Austin has cleaner air on average: 47.0 AQI (Good) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Cary if you prioritize higher median household income ($129,399/yr).
Pick Austin if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 47.0).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than Cary?
Cary is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 98.8 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Cary.
How much is rent in Austin vs Cary?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,621/mo in Cary, NC. Cary, NC has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Cary?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $129,399 in Cary, NC. Cary, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Austin, TX has better air quality on average: 47.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or Cary?
Texas has no state income tax. North Carolina has a top rate of 4.50%.
What salary do I need in Cary to match my Austin income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Austin, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,508 in Cary, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology