Median rent is 24% lower in Easton ($1,325/mo vs $1,738/mo). Buying is cheaper in Easton, where the median home runs $196,300 versus $580,200. Households earn more in Cary ($134,905 vs $69,348 a year). Taken together, Cary is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.4 against 98.9 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Cary, NC.
Quick verdict
Cary is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 98.4 in Cary vs 98.9 in Easton (US average = 100)
City A
Cary, NC
City B
Easton, PA
How much would you need to earn in Easton, PA to maintain your standard of living from Cary, NC?
Equivalent salary in Easton, PA
$75,400
You'd need $400 more (1% higher).
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
Cary
North Carolina
Easton
Pennsylvania
👥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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Easton — median rent of $1,325/mo versus $1,738/mo in Cary, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Cary: the median home is $580,200 versus $196,300 in Easton — 66% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Cary
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Easton
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Cary (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Easton.
Pick Cary if you prioritize higher median household income ($134,905/yr).
Pick Easton if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,325/mo median).
Is Cary cheaper than Easton?
Cary is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.4 versus 98.9 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Cary.
How much is rent in Cary vs Easton?
Median rent is $1,738/mo in Cary, NC and $1,325/mo in Easton, PA. Easton, PA has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Cary or Easton?
Median household income is $134,905 in Cary, NC and $69,348 in Easton, PA. 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Cary or Easton?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Easton to match my Cary income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Cary, NC is equivalent to roughly $100,534 in Easton, PA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
