What Salary Do You Need to Live in Cary, NC?

To live comfortably in Cary, a household needs to earn roughly $80,000/year. That's about $6,667/month before taxes.

The Number: $80,000/year

At $80,000 per year, a household in Cary can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Cary's median monthly rent of $1,820 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Cary at a Glance

Median rent$1,820/mo
Median home price$649,600
Median household income$135,132
State income tax4.25% flat
Sales tax7.25%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Cary on roughly $50,000/year. That's about $4,167/month before taxes.

See the full Cary cost of living profile →

Compare Cary to another city →

Try the Salary Calculator

Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Cary

The median monthly rent is $1,820. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $73,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $649,600. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $129,920 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $135,132/year. Our recommended salary of $80,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.