Raleigh, North Carolina has an overall cost of living index of 98.4, which is 1.6 points below the US average of 100 — making it about average versus most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,572 per month, while the typical home is valued around $415,800. Households earn a median of $85,395 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is good, with an average AQI of 47. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$85,395
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,572
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$415,800
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
98.4
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,524
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,596
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,750
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,196
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
98.4
Goods
96.8
Rents / Housing
104.0
Services
83.8
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $135,620 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $89,820 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $56,180 |
| ⚡Electrician | $55,810 |
| 📊Accountant | $92,050 |
| 🔧Plumber | $56,280 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $293,040 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $104,470 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $138,930 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $88,520 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $147,240 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $55,020 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $134,910 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
481,031
Latest estimate
Median Age
34.7 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
47.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
44
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,603
Per month
Avg Home Value
$612,350
Census ACS
January Avg
42°F
July Avg
80°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Temperate · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.4
poor
Hospitals
4
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
90.7%
What is the cost of living index for Raleigh?
Raleigh has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 98.4. The US national average is 100, so Raleigh is 1.6 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Raleigh?
The median gross rent in Raleigh is $1,572 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Raleigh?
The median household income in Raleigh is $85,395 per year.
What is the median home value in Raleigh?
The median home value in Raleigh is $415,800 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Raleigh?
Raleigh has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 47.0, which is rated "Good" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Raleigh?
Tax data for North Carolina is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
