CostIndexUSA

Cary, NC vs Eugene, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Cary
98.2
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
OR
Eugene
101.6
overall index
$1,900/mo rent

Cary is slightly cheaper than Eugene — 3.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cary, you would need $82,800 in Eugene. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing4.9%
Cary
103.5
Eugene
98.4
🛒 Groceries+9.0%
Cary
96.6
Eugene
105.3
🚗 Transportation+2.1%
Cary
103.1
Eugene
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.1%
Cary
93.3
Eugene
95.3
Utilities+15.2%
Cary
89
Eugene
102.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Eugene, OR
$82,800
$2,800 more needed in Eugene

Formula: salary × (101.6 ÷ 98.2) = salary × 1.0346. 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×

Eugene, OR

Median Home Price
$443,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,900
Housing Index
98.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Cary has 4.9% lower housing costs compared to Eugene.

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

Eugene, OR

Median Household Income
$70,400
Per Capita Income
$40,100
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
176,654
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

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)

Eugene, OR
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.