Cost of Living: Cary, NC vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Cary

North Carolina
135
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Cary is 90% more expensive than Abilene.

$1,621/mo ↑ 47%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 32%
$129,399/yr ↑ 106%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 52%
$525,200 ↑ 194%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 66%
$1,744/mo ↑ 57%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 36%
176,686
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

15.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cary, NC and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 135 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $515/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $6,180/year.

Median household income is $66,679/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cary is $525,200 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Abilene residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cary vs Abilene — common questions

Is Cary or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cary and Abilene?
Median rent in Cary is $1,621/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $515/month.
Which city has higher income, Cary or Abilene?
Median household income is $129,399 in Cary and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $66,679/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Texas?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Cary or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Cary has a cost index of 135 with median rent of $1,621/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cary details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cary and Abilene

Cary vs. Santa Rosa Cary vs. Salem Cary vs. Elk Grove Cary vs. Rancho Cucamonga Cary vs. Eugene Cary vs. Oceanside Abilene vs. Columbia Abilene vs. Athens Abilene vs. Lehigh Acres Abilene vs. Topeka Abilene vs. Lewisville Abilene vs. Pearland