Cary vs New Orleans: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Cary, North Carolina compare to New Orleans, Louisiana? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: New Orleans is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 70% higher in Cary compared to New Orleans, while rent is 32% higher. State income tax is 4.5% in NC vs 4.25% in LA.
| Metric | Cary, NC | New Orleans, LA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $477,400 | $281,500 | +69.6% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,538 | $1,162 | +32.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $125,317 | $51,116 | +145.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $61,933 | $37,013 | +67.3% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | +5.9% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 9.6% | -27.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 174,880 | 380,408 | -54.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Cary
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — New Orleans
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Cary costs $477,400 compared to $281,500 in New Orleans — a 70% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,538/mo in Cary vs $1,162/mo in New Orleans.
- Income: Median household income is $125,317 in Cary and $51,116 in New Orleans.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.5% in North Carolina vs 4.25% in Louisiana.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).