2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Decorah, IA vs Cary, NC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Cary or is it cheaper to live in Decorah?
- Cary is 24.9% more expensive than Decorah.

Which city has more affordable housing, Cary or Decorah?
- Cary housing costs are 124.0% more expensive than Decorah housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Decorah or is Health Care more affordable in Cary.
- Health related expenses are 25.9% less in Cary.
 Decorah, IACary, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.8100
 Food & Groceries98.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock94.8100
 Housing70.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$574,400$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock86.4100
 Miscellaneous105.1  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Decorah    3 Reviews

ridiculously expensive housing for such a small town. The wages in the town do not even remotely compensate for the high cost of housing. Average housing prices start  More

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Over 15 years ago

I have been a resident of Decorah, IA for 26 years. Decorah is located in the northeast corner of Iowa. When we entertain out of town guests they always comment how  More

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Over 15 years ago

This college has the most extensive music program of any liberal arts college around, has a strong connection to public radio, and Decorah is reputed to be a lovely  More

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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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