Cost of Living in Cary, North Carolina
In Cary, the median household income is $134,905 and the median gross rent is $1,738/mo, with a median home value of $580,200. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $134,905
- Median gross rent
- $1,738/mo
- Median home value
- $580,200
- Population
- 179,306
How Cary compares to the North Carolina average
| Measure | Cary, NC | North Carolina statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $134,905 | $72,388 | +86.4% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,738 | $1,228 | +41.5% |
| Median home value | $580,200 | $288,900 | +100.8% |
Statewide, North Carolina prices average 94.3 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Cary
- Salary needed for median rent
- $69,520
- Rent burden at median income
- 15.5%
- Est. affordable home price
- $492,125
So that $1,738/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Cary is $580,200 — +17.9% above what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other North Carolina cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.