2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Charlotte, NC vs Cary, NC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Cary or is it cheaper to live in Charlotte?
- Cary is 3.2% more expensive than Charlotte.

Which city has more affordable housing, Cary or Charlotte?
- Cary housing costs are 52.0% more expensive than Charlotte housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Charlotte or is Health Care more affordable in Cary.
- Health related expenses are 0.2% less in Cary.
 Charlotte, NCCary, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.8100
 Food & Groceries99.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock94.8100
 Housing103.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$574,400$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock86.4100
 Miscellaneous110.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Charlotte    305 Reviews

My favorite city to live year round with 4 seasons. We love Charlotte  More

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Over 3 years ago

This city has a lot of potential, but it could use some work. For example, it seems to lack things that other cities have. And there is a lack of atmosphere and charm.  More

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Over 4 years ago

Very new transplant (~6 weeks) so first impressions and reasons why I moved here: -great year-round weather, if you don't mind humidity-- less hot in summer than TX/AZ  More

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Reviews for Cary    63 Reviews

Cary is up-and-coming “cool.” The downtown is revitalized and growing. The town takes urban planning very seriously. The home prices have definitely spiked in the last  More

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Over 8 years ago

I've lived in NY, CT, MA, and in Miami FL. Now here in Cary NC for the past 10 years. For what I want and need at this phase of my life, I really like it here! All the  More

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Over 8 years ago

As a Real Estate Agent, I consider Cary the most central location in the Triangle, it basically takes you twenty minutes to get to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough,   More

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