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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Cary or is it cheaper to live in Durham?
- Cary is 7.1% more expensive than Durham.

Which city has more affordable housing, Cary or Durham?
- Cary housing costs are 47.4% more expensive than Durham housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Durham or is Health Care more affordable in Cary.
- Health related expenses are 3.2% less in Cary.
 Durham, NCCary, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.8100
 Food & Groceries99.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock94.8100
 Housing106.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$574,400$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock86.4100
 Miscellaneous108.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Durham    43 Reviews

I was raised in this city, left for work in the 2010s, and returned in 2018. This city has changed a lot over the years for the better. Growing up there was not a ton to  More

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Over 4 years ago

I've lived in durham for a few years and my experience is coming from someone who has traveled all over the world and has lived in many different states. First things  More

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Over 4 years ago

I live here for my entire life and it has never gotten boring, I love the scenery, nightlife and basically everything here. There is always something new to do and  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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