An Underrated Town In North Carolina Perfect For Retirement Has An Average Monthly Expense Of $3,615

Cary is a small town located just nine miles west of Raleigh. It is considered one of the most livable cities by GoBankingRates, who gave the town a livability score of 90 (the 3rd highest score on the list) and pegged the average monthly expenses at $3,615. Cary enjoys year-round temperatures between 32 degrees and 89  degrees Fahrenheit and so the residents can enjoy all year-round outdoor activities like hiking at Bond Park or even explore Raleigh's cultural scene downtown.

Beneath the scenery, Cary's numbers stay practical among both national and international retirement destinations. The town has a median effective property-tax rate of 1.01%, just under the 1.02% U.S. median, according to Ownwell's March 2025 data. Retirees would also enjoy the town's proximity to top-rated healthcare like Duke Raleigh Hospital, and a crime rate that is half the national average. Cary has 18.12 violent and property incidents per 1,000 residents, according to Next Door Crime statistics, making it one of the safest places to live in North Carolina. Cary is a strategic choice for retirees who are on the lookout to enjoy a healthy dose of safety, accessibility, and financial predictability.

To live comfortably in Cary, an average-income household is expected to spend between $1,834 to $3,615 monthly. This would cover essentials like housing, healthcare, groceries, and utilities. Cost of living in Cary tips between 6% and 8% above the national average, but the town does offer some tangible benefits that evens the scoreboard. For example, the rate of crime in Cary is 45.4% lower than the U.S. average. While its healthcare costs are 12% higher than national figures, they do have a quality healthcare system. Cary has some top-notch health service providers like Duke Raleigh Hospital, UNC Rex Healthcare and WakeMed Cary Hospital.

The government invests heavily in amenities that enrich daily life without inflating budgets. Bond Park offers 310 acres of trails and lakes for free outdoor activities, while the Page-Walker Arts Center hosts low-cost cultural events. It also has a robust public transit system, including free and subsidized shuttles for seniors. This service alone reduces reliance on personal vehicles and also trims the burden of transportation costs on the residents.

In a nutshell, retirees who choose Cary as their final location are expected to spend slightly more money upfront, but when you factor in the safe environment, accessibility to premium services, and a walkable downtown with fairly-priced outdoor recreational opportunities, the gain makes up for the excess and provides a peaceful life. 

Some 13.87% of Cary residents are aged 65 and above. This number is slightly smaller than the national average, but it is growing at a steady pace. This is a positive sign of its rising appeal among older adults. The town of Cary actively supports this demographic through programs like the Cary Senior Center, which offer fitness classes, art workshops, and social clubs tailored to retirees.

The town's proximity to some prestigious schools like Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a plus. These schools either allow retirees to audit courses, attend lectures, or participate in cultural events like theater productions. These lifelong learning opportunities can be considered as enriching to retirees, especially the academics. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at nearby Duke, for instance, provides non-credit classes on topics from history to technology. These classes are designed specifically for seniors.

Cary's walkable downtown offers access to cafes, boutiques, and the new Downtown Cary Park, all of which encourages casual socializing. Most of these spaces also host community events like farmers' markets and outdoor concerts, hence they encourage regular exercise, and could easily contribute to a better health for the older citizens, since most chronic health issues are tied to inactivity.