Median rent is 5% lower in Cary ($1,738/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Cary, where the median home runs $580,200 versus $777,600. Households earn more in Cary ($134,905 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, Cary is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.4 against 112.6 — about 13% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Cary, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Cary is 13% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.4 in Cary vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
Cary, NC
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Cary, NC?
Equivalent salary in New York, NY
$85,897
You'd need $10,897 more (15% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Cary
North Carolina
New York
New York
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,738/mo in Cary and $1,821/mo in New York. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $580,200 in Cary — 25% more expensive.
Metric
Cary
New York
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Cary averages 47.0 AQI (Good) and New York averages 46.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Cary if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.4 vs 112.6).
Pick Cary if you prioritize higher median household income ($134,905/yr).
Cary is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.4 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Cary.
Median rent is $1,738/mo in Cary, NC and $1,821/mo in New York, NY. Cary, NC has the lower rent by about 5%.
Median household income is $134,905 in Cary, NC and $80,483 in New York, NY. Cary, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
New York, NY has better air quality on average: 46.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Cary, NC is equivalent to roughly $114,529 in New York, NY (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
