Cost of Living in Cary, NC
Cary is about 11% more expensive than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Cary at a Glance
On the median income of $135,132, state income tax is roughly $5,743/year.
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Cary is the affluent planned community adjacent to Raleigh in the Research Triangle, with excellent schools and SAS Institute headquarters. Median household income of $105,000 reflects the concentration of tech and pharma professionals.
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Cary
Excellent schools, strong safety statistics, 80+ miles of greenway trails. Proximity to Research Triangle Park's tech and biotech careers. North Carolina's flat 4.5% income tax is low.
Neighborhoods
West Cary near SAS has excellent schools. Preston is affluent. Downtown Cary has limited but growing character. Morrisville adjacent is popular with tech workers.
Things to Consider
Car-dependent, HOA-governed, lacking urban character. Housing costs have risen sharply. If you want walkability and diversity, Durham or downtown Raleigh are better choices.
Compare Cary To...
Frequently Asked Questions About Cary
A local joke reflecting the large number of Northeast transplants who moved for Research Triangle jobs. Cary's population has grown enormously through in-migration.
Cary has better suburban schools and lower crime. Raleigh has the urban core, dining, and nightlife. Many families live in Cary for schools and spend social time in Raleigh or Durham.
RTP is a 7,000-acre research park between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill with 300+ companies employing 50,000+ people. Cary's proximity to RTP is a primary reason for its growth.