CostIndexUSA

Cary, NC vs New Haven, CT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Cary
98.2
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
CT
New Haven
104.6
overall index
$1,975/mo rent

Cary is moderately cheaper than New Haven — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cary, you would need $85,200 in New Haven. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+20.1%
Cary
103.5
New Haven
124.3
🛒 Groceries+0.7%
Cary
96.6
New Haven
97.3
🚗 Transportation+4.6%
Cary
103.1
New Haven
107.8
🏥 Healthcare+4.5%
Cary
93.3
New Haven
97.5
Utilities+62.7%
Cary
89
New Haven
144.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Cary to see what you'd need to earn in New Haven to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in New Haven, CT
$85,200
$5,200 more needed in New Haven

Formula: salary × (104.6 ÷ 98.2) = salary × 1.0652. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cary, NC

Median Home Price
$428,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
103.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.6×

New Haven, CT

Median Home Price
$386,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,975
Housing Index
124.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

New Haven has 20.1% higher housing costs compared to Cary.

Income & Job Market

Cary, NC

Median Household Income
$96,100
Per Capita Income
$54,800
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
174,721
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationResearch

New Haven, CT

Median Household Income
$80,700
Per Capita Income
$46,000
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
130,250
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Cary, NC
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

New Haven, CT
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.