Median rent is 12% lower in Raleigh ($1,572/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in Raleigh, where the median home runs $415,800 versus $506,300. Households earn more in Sacramento ($87,321 vs $85,395 a year). Taken together, Raleigh is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.4 against 109.1 — about 10% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Raleigh, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Raleigh is 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.4 in Raleigh vs 109.1 in Sacramento (US national average = 100)
City A
Raleigh, NC
City B
Sacramento, CA
How much would you need to earn in Sacramento, CA to maintain your standard of living from Raleigh, NC?
Equivalent salary in Sacramento, CA
$83,187
You'd need $8,187 more (11% higher).
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
Raleigh
North Carolina
Sacramento
California
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 $1,779/mo in Sacramento (12% gap). Median home values are within 18% of each other: $415,800 in Raleigh and $506,300 in Sacramento.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Raleigh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Sacramento
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Raleigh has cleaner air on average: 47.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 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 109.1).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,572/mo median).
Is Raleigh cheaper than Sacramento?
Raleigh is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.4 versus 109.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Raleigh.
How much is rent in Raleigh vs Sacramento?
Median rent is $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC and $1,779/mo in Sacramento, CA. Raleigh, NC has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Raleigh or Sacramento?
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh, NC and $87,321 in Sacramento, CA. Sacramento, 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 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Raleigh or Sacramento?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Sacramento to match my Raleigh income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Raleigh, NC is equivalent to roughly $110,916 in Sacramento, CA (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
