No matter where you live in the United States, you’re going to have expenses. From the heating bill to transportation, healthcare, housing, and more, these cost of living expenses can add up quickly. (Just ask any typical family of 5.) The same holds true for Cary, NC, of course. If you’re moving to Cary, knowing the cost of living ahead of time is valuable information. It can help you decide which home to buy, for example, or what neighborhood to choose.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Interested in our sources? We took data from the 2021 US Census, Best Places, and Nerd Wallet to estimate the most accurate costs of living in Cary, NC. We know these numbers may not always match your personal experience, but we do our best to give you a ballpark of what you can expect to pay in each category. If you have a different opinion, feel free to share it in the comments below! Now, on to the good stuff!
Cost of Living in Cary, North Carolina
Overall, we’re 15% more affordable than other cities.
While Cary, NC, isn’t the most expensive city by any means, it’s not the cheapest either. All of the typical cost indices here are below the national average, which is a good thing. One index, however, is very far above it; housing costs. In Cary, they’re 160/100, a number that, while not outrageous, could be much better.
Indeed, if it weren’t for housing costs, Cary would likely end up below the national average. Some folks make up for the difference by purchasing a smaller home and renting a Cary storage unit. That way, they can buy a smaller house but still keep their cherished stuff. (Or store an antique car, a boat, an RV, Grandma’s antiques, etc.)
Where to Store Your Items in Cary, NC
Groceries: Expensive
Groceries cost 3% more than average in Jacksonville.
The only other cost above the national average is groceries which, at 103/100, isn’t that far off. You’ll pay 3% more for your milk, eggs, cheese, and other sundry items, which isn’t great news but isn’t the worst news either. Honestly, compared to Los Angeles, Miami, or New York, the grocery prices in Cary are still reasonable.
Healthcare: Affordable
Healthcare cost of living is 7% less than average in Cary.
Taking care of your health is something every person does at one point in their life or another. In Cary, the cost to do that is about 7% less than the average U.S. cost. That’s good news for seniors or families with small children, of course. You’ll also be glad to know that Cary offers excellent healthcare services and has several exceptional hospitals. In short, your health is in good hands here (as well as your wallet).
Housing: Expensive
Healthcare cost is 60% higher living in Cary, NC.
There’s no way to sugarcoat the fact that the cost of living in Cary, North Carolina, can be expensive when you purchase a home. The housing index here is 160/100, 60% higher than the national average for a city of this size. The median home cost in Cary, according to Niche, is $458,100. Compared to the national average of $291,700 that’s a significant difference.
So, yes, housing costs are a tough nut to swallow. There are, however, plenty of reasonably priced homes to be found in Cary. Plus, after housing costs, the remaining costs are all at or below the national average. That makes up (almost) for the higher housing costs.
Utilities: Average
Utilities are 3% lower than average living in Cary, NC.
You’ll have to pay various utilities no matter where you live, and Cary, NC, is no different. They’re a part of everyday American life, from heating bills to internet costs, phone plans, garbage services, and more. Luckily, you’ll pay slightly less for them in Cary as our cost index for utilities is 94/100. Sure, 6% isn’t a massive saving over the national average, but as they say, every little bit helps.
Transportation: Affordable
Transportation costs 14% less living in Cary, NC.
The cost to get from one place to another can get expensive no matter where you live in the U.S. You’ll pay less to do that in Cary, whether you commute, take the bus, or even work from home. At 14 percentage points below the national average, getting around in our city is downright affordable. That includes the cost of auto insurance and repairs, maintenance, and licensing fees.
That’s genuinely good news, especially when you consider the needs of today’s modern family. Getting around is vital, whether to get the kids to school safely, earn a living or simply get things done. Paying 14% less to make that happen would be a welcome financial break for many families, we think you’ll agree.
Miscellaneous Expenses: Average
Miscellaneous expenses are 1% less than average.
Many people don’t realize how quickly the miscellaneous costs of living in Cary, NC can add up. They do, though, but in Cary, at least you aren’t paying more than the national average for them. At 99/100, we’re right below the line, a 1% savings on miscellaneous stuff you purchase every day.
What are miscellaneous expenses? That’s easy! They’re everything and everything not included in the other costs we’ve discussed today. Some of the most common miscellaneous expenses are listed below:
- Vending machine snacks like chips, soda, cookies, etc.
- Coffee at the coffee shop
- Gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, Anniversaries, etc.
- Gym memberships
- Haircuts, perms, manicures
- Clothing
- Toiletries
The Cost of Living in Cary is Mostly Reasonable
When you consider everything Cary, NC offers, the cost of living here is mostly reasonable. Yes, our housing prices are high, but not nearly as high as many American cities of the same size. At SecureCare, we help people keep their housing costs lower with clean, secure storage units in Cary.
Folks here in Cary store a lot of stuff with us, it’s true. From household goods to farm equipment, overstock from their stores, antique cars, and more, we’ve seen it all. With onsite managers, we also see everything that’s happening in our storage facility, so your things stay safe.
If you have questions about storage units in Cary, NC, please chat with us online. You can rent or reserve a storage unit online too. (It takes less than 10 minutes.) If you’re in a bind because your closing fell through or need to move out quickly, we’re here to help! Call our Cary, NC self storage location and let our onsite manager take care of you! Until then, we hope the cost of living in Cary fits your budget because it’s a fantastic place to live!
Read more about the North Carolina cities we serve:
