Asheville, NC vs Cary, NC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Asheville is 15.3% cheaper than Cary. With a cost index of 107 vs 127, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Asheville to Cary should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Asheville is $1,303/month compared to $1,621/month in Cary — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Asheville is more affordable at $411,000 median vs $525,200.

Median household income in Asheville is $67,221 compared to $129,399 in Cary (-48.1%). While Cary is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Asheville spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15% in Cary.