2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Cary, NC vs Wilmette, IL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Wilmette or is it cheaper to live in Cary?
- Wilmette is 0.1% less expensive than Cary.

Which city has more affordable housing, Wilmette or Cary?
- Wilmette housing costs are 63.9% more expensive than Cary housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Cary or is Health Care more affordable in Wilmette.
- Health related expenses are 7.2% less in Wilmette.
 Cary, NCWilmette, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.7100
 Food & Groceries103.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.0100
 Housing157.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$743,500$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock132.7100
 Miscellaneous110.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Cary    63 Reviews

Cary is up-and-coming “cool.” The downtown is revitalized and growing. The town takes urban planning very seriously. The home prices have definitely spiked in the last  More

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Over 8 years ago

I've lived in NY, CT, MA, and in Miami FL. Now here in Cary NC for the past 10 years. For what I want and need at this phase of my life, I really like it here! All the  More

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Over 8 years ago

As a Real Estate Agent, I consider Cary the most central location in the Triangle, it basically takes you twenty minutes to get to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough,   More

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Reviews for Wilmette    4 Reviews

Top notch teachers. Involved parents. Motivated students. Great public schools from elementary through high school.  More

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Over 13 years ago

It's a small city close to the lake and close to Chicago. One of the biggest advantages is its schools. Most of the elementary schools have a great school rating of 9  More

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Over 16 years ago

Wilmette is one of the close-in suburbs on Chicago's North Shore. Wilmette and next-door Evanston have their own parks, dining and recreation. And it's a short drive or  More

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