Median rent is 21% lower in Richmond ($1,372/mo vs $1,738/mo). Buying is cheaper in Richmond, where the median home runs $353,000 versus $580,200. Households earn more in Cary ($134,905 vs $64,587 a year). Taken together, Richmond is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 98.4 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Cary, NC.
City A
Cary, NC
City B
Richmond, VA
How much would you need to earn in Richmond, VA to maintain your standard of living from Cary, NC?
Equivalent salary in Richmond, VA
$74,986
You could earn $14 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
Cary
North Carolina
Richmond
Virginia
👥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 Richmond — median rent of $1,372/mo versus $1,738/mo in Cary, a 21% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Cary: the median home is $580,200 versus $353,000 in Richmond — 39% 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
Richmond
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Richmond has cleaner air on average: 28.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Cary if you prioritize higher median household income ($134,905/yr).
Pick Richmond if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,372/mo median).
Pick Richmond if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 28.0).
Is Cary cheaper than Richmond?
Richmond is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 98.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Richmond.
How much is rent in Cary vs Richmond?
Median rent is $1,738/mo in Cary, NC and $1,372/mo in Richmond, VA. Richmond, VA has the lower rent by about 21%.
Which has higher salaries — Cary or Richmond?
Median household income is $134,905 in Cary, NC and $64,587 in Richmond, VA. 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?
Richmond, VA has better air quality on average: 28.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Cary or Richmond?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Richmond to match my Cary income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Cary, NC is equivalent to roughly $99,982 in Richmond, VA (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
