Is Hollywood, FL cheaper than Cary, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Hollywood, FL is 17.9% more expensive than Cary, NC. This translates to spending an extra $1346 per month.

What salary do I need in Hollywood, FL to live like I do in Cary, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Cary, NC, you'd need approximately $166,149.559 in Hollywood, FL to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Cary, NC and Hollywood, FL?

Housing in Hollywood, FL is 49.3% more expensive than in Cary, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,540/month in Hollywood, FL compared to $1,473/month in Cary, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Cary, NC to Hollywood, FL?

Living in Hollywood, FL costs approximately $1346 more per month than Cary, NC, or $16150 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Cary, NC vs Hollywood, FL: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Cary, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Hollywood, FL

$150.0K in your current city equals $166.1K in Hollywood, FL

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area

Overall Cost

↑ 17.9%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,346

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$16.1K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Cary, NC

Population:180K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$514K

Hollywood, FL

Population:154K

Cost Index:

118

(18% above avg)

Median Home:$445K

Cary, NC

The Tar Heel State

180K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 180K residents.

Hollywood, FL

The Sunshine State

154K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Florida, this city has a population of 154K residents.

💡 Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Cary, NC vs Hollywood, FL

Category	Cary, NC	Hollywood, FL	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,175/mo	$3,248/mo	↑ $1,073more	49.3%
Other	$1,672/mo	$1,925/mo	↑ $254more	15.2%
Transportation	$1,257/mo	$1,462/mo	↑ $205more	16.3%
Groceries	$949/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $130more	13.7%
All Utilities	$541/mo	$519/mo	↓ $21.55less	4.0%
Healthcare	$595/mo	$589/mo	↓ $6.04less	1.0%

Housing

↑ 49.3%

Cary, NC

$2,175

Hollywood, FL

$3,248

Difference

$1,073

Other

↑ 15.2%

Cary, NC

$1,672

Hollywood, FL

$1,925

Difference

$254

Transportation

↑ 16.3%

Cary, NC

$1,257

Hollywood, FL

$1,462

Difference

$205

Groceries

↑ 13.7%

Cary, NC

$949

Hollywood, FL

$1,079

Difference

$130

All Utilities

↓ 4.0%

Cary, NC

$541

Hollywood, FL

$519

Difference

$21.55

less

Healthcare

↓ 1.0%

Cary, NC

$595

Hollywood, FL

$589

Difference

$6.04

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,281

To$1,890

↑ $609

1 Bed

From$1,344

To$2,070

↑ $726

2 Bed

From$1,473

To$2,540

↑ $1,067

3 Bed

From$1,847

To$3,500

↑ $1,653

Cary, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,480–$1,750/mo

Hollywood, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,870–$2,610/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,188

Monthly in Cary, NC

$8,822

Monthly in Hollywood, FL

$1,634

Difference

Home Values

Cary

Hollywood

$514K

Median Value

$445K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -5.5%

↑ +44%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.3%

$481K - $548K

Price Range

$371K - $663K

Homes in Hollywood are 13% less expensive than Cary

Calculate payment - Cary Calculate payment - Hollywood

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$594

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

Rate difference

Cary, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Hollywood, FL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Florida State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Cary, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

Hollywood, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.