salaryRent is higher than in 71% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 88% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 70.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $82,000 a year. That is $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of North Carolina. It is number 142 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Cary?
Share of households by yearly income. 53.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Cary
| Size | Cary | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,529 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,547 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,788 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,099 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,656 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Cary overall?
Everyday prices in the Raleigh-Cary metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Cary
Life in Cary
What jobs pay in Cary
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,120 | 18.5% |
| Software Developer | $132,770 | 18.5% |
| Lawyer | $131,920 | 18.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,150 | 19.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $124,300 | 19.8% |
| Operations Manager | $114,940 | 21.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $108,480 | 22.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,440 | 24.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,800 | 24.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,830 | 29.0% |
| Accountant | $81,950 | 30.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $78,980 | 31.1% |
| Police Officer | $65,860 | 37.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,080 | 38.4% |
| Plumber | $60,540 | 40.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,170 | 40.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,900 | 41.8% |
| Electrician | $56,800 | 43.3% |
| Truck Driver | $52,110 | 47.2% |
| Carpenter | $50,820 | 48.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,160 | 53.3% |
| Firefighter | $45,640 | 53.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,900 | 58.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,710 | 61.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,470 | 63.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,280 | 67.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,860 | 70.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,100 | 74.3% |
| Cashier | $29,770 | 82.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Cary?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,976 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $580,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $58,020 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cary, NC?
Renting in Cary costs a median of about $2,050 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Cary?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $82,000 a year, or $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Cary cheap or expensive?
Cary is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.9% of the typical household income of $145,495. It ranks 142nd cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Cary?
The median homeowner in Cary pays $4,142 a year in property taxes, about 0.71% of the median home value.
Is Cary more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Cary?
The median home value in Cary is $580,200, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
179,306 people live in Cary. Numbers are typical (middle) values.