Median rent is 21% lower in Raleigh ($1,572/mo vs $1,979/mo). Buying is cheaper in Raleigh, where the median home runs $415,800 versus $929,900. Households earn more in Oakland ($101,600 vs $85,395 a year). Taken together, Raleigh is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.4 against 117.6 — about 16% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Raleigh is 16% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.4 in Raleigh vs 117.6 in Oakland (US national average = 100)
City A
Oakland, CA
City B
Raleigh, NC
How much would you need to earn in Raleigh, NC to maintain your standard of living from Oakland, CA?
Equivalent salary in Raleigh, NC
$62,753
You could earn $12,247 less (16% 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
Oakland
California
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Raleigh — median rent of $1,572/mo versus $1,979/mo in Oakland, a 21% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Oakland: the median home is $929,900 versus $415,800 in Raleigh — 55% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Oakland
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Raleigh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Raleigh has cleaner air on average: 47.0 AQI (Good) compared to 60.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.4 vs 117.6).
Pick Oakland if you prioritize higher median household income ($101,600/yr).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,572/mo median).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 47.0).
Is Oakland cheaper than Raleigh?
Raleigh is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.4 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 16% lower in Raleigh.
How much is rent in Oakland vs Raleigh?
Median rent is $1,979/mo in Oakland, CA and $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, NC has the lower rent by about 21%.
Which has higher salaries — Oakland or Raleigh?
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland, CA and $85,395 in Raleigh, NC. Oakland, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Raleigh, NC has better air quality on average: 47.0 AQI versus 60.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Oakland or Raleigh?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Raleigh to match my Oakland income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Oakland, CA is equivalent to roughly $83,670 in Raleigh, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
