CostIndexUSA

Cary, NC vs Oklahoma City, OK Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Cary
98.2
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableOK
Oklahoma City
90.4
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Oklahoma City is moderately cheaper than Cary — 7.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cary, you would need $73,600 in Oklahoma City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing28.6%
Cary
103.5
Oklahoma City
73.9
🛒 Groceries2.9%
Cary
96.6
Oklahoma City
93.8
🚗 Transportation2.8%
Cary
103.1
Oklahoma City
100.2
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Cary
93.3
Oklahoma City
90.7
Utilities16.7%
Cary
89
Oklahoma City
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Oklahoma City, OK
$73,600
$6,400 less needed in Oklahoma City

Formula: salary × (90.4 ÷ 98.2) = salary × 0.9206. 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×

Oklahoma City, OK

Median Home Price
$239,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
73.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Cary has 28.6% lower housing costs compared to Oklahoma City.

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

Oklahoma City, OK

Median Household Income
$69,900
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
681,054
Top Industries
EnergyGovernmentHealthcareAgricultureAerospace

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)

Oklahoma City, OK
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.