Cost of Living: Cary, NC vs West Palm Beach, FL (2026)

Cary

North Carolina
135
VS

West Palm Beach

Florida
119

Cary is 13% more expensive than West Palm Beach.

$1,621/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,709/mo ↑ 5%
$129,399/yr ↑ 87%
Median Income
$69,261/yr ↓ 46%
$525,200 ↑ 42%
Home Value
$369,800 ↓ 30%
$1,744/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,667/mo ↓ 4%
176,686
Population
119,508

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

15.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
29.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cary, NC and West Palm Beach, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 135 and 119 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $88/month cheaper in Cary, saving renters about $1,056/year.

Median household income is $60,138/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cary is $525,200 compared to $369,800 in West Palm Beach.

Florida has no state income tax, giving West Palm Beach residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cary vs West Palm Beach — common questions

Is Cary or West Palm Beach cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, West Palm Beach is cheaper to live in with an index of 119 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cary and West Palm Beach?
Median rent in Cary is $1,621/month and in West Palm Beach it's $1,709/month — a difference of $88/month.
Which city has higher income, Cary or West Palm Beach?
Median household income is $129,399 in Cary and $69,261 in West Palm Beach. Median household income is $60,138/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Florida?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Cary or West Palm Beach?
It depends on your priorities. Cary has a cost index of 135 with median rent of $1,621/mo, while West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with rent of $1,709/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cary details → View West Palm Beach details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cary and West Palm Beach

Cary vs. Santa Rosa Cary vs. Salem Cary vs. Elk Grove Cary vs. Rancho Cucamonga Cary vs. Eugene Cary vs. Oceanside West Palm Beach vs. Hartford West Palm Beach vs. Spring Hill West Palm Beach vs. Fairfield West Palm Beach vs. Wilmington West Palm Beach vs. Berkeley West Palm Beach vs. Billings