Median rent is 14% lower in Raleigh ($1,572/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Raleigh, where the median home runs $415,800 versus $777,600. Households earn more in Raleigh ($85,395 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, Raleigh is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.4 against 112.6 — about 13% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Raleigh, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Raleigh is 13% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.4 in Raleigh vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
Raleigh, NC
How much would you need to earn in Raleigh, NC to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in Raleigh, NC
$65,486
You could earn $9,514 less (13% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
New York
New York
Raleigh
North Carolina
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Raleigh at $1,572/mo compared to $1,821/mo in New York (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $415,800 in Raleigh — 47% more expensive.
Metric
New York
Raleigh
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Raleigh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: New York averages 46.0 AQI (Good) and Raleigh averages 47.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.4 vs 112.6).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,395/yr).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,572/mo median).
Raleigh is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.4 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Raleigh.
Median rent is $1,821/mo in New York, NY and $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, NC has the lower rent by about 14%.
Median household income is $80,483 in New York, NY and $85,395 in Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
New York, NY has better air quality on average: 46.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $87,314 in Raleigh, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
