Cary, NC vs Chapel Hill, NC

Cary, NC and Chapel Hill, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Cary scores 127 while Chapel Hill scores 126 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cary is $1,621/month compared to $1,483/month in Chapel Hill — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chapel Hill has cheaper rent, Cary actually has lower median home values ($525,200 vs $576,500).

Median household income in Cary is $129,399 compared to $85,825 in Chapel Hill (+50.8%). 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 Cary spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, less than the 20.7% in Chapel Hill.