Is Raleigh expensive to live in?

Raleigh is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,323 per month ranks #20 of 50 and is 8% higher than the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Raleigh?

Average rent in Raleigh, NC runs a studio around $1,301, a one-bedroom around $1,323, a two-bedroom around $1,462, a three-bedroom around $1,715 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Raleigh?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,323 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year. The median household income here is $82,424.

How much does it cost to live in Raleigh per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Raleigh is about $1,490 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

A view of a city skyline at sunset — Raleigh, NC

Cost of Living in Raleigh, NC

Population 467,665 · North Carolina

~$1,490/mo est.1BR $1,323Home $377,800

Photo: Reba Spike / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Raleigh, NC is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,323 a month — 8% higher than the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,301 and two-bedrooms $1,462.

Median household income here is $82,424, 9% higher than the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,490 before food and transport. North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,323

Studio

$1,301

1 Bedroom

$1,323

2 Bedroom

$1,462

3 Bedroom

$1,715

Buying a Home$377,800

Median Home Value

$377,800

Income$82,424

Median Household Income

$82,424

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,990

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.16

Bread (lb)

$1.73

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.56

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.61

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities16.0¢/kWh

Electricity

16.0¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$17.50/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$4.30/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$4.30/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public Transit$1.25

Base Fare (GoRaleigh)

$1.25

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).

State Taxes (NC)4.75% sales

State Sales Tax

4.75%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 3.99%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime491.5 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

491.5

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,838

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Raleigh Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 34.7 yrs

Median Age

34.7 yrs

Homeownership

51.2%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

52.9%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Climate60.6°F

Avg Annual Temperature

60.6°F

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

Raleigh cost of living — FAQ

Is Raleigh expensive to live in?: Raleigh is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,323 per month ranks #20 of 50 and is 8% higher than the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Raleigh?: Average rent in Raleigh, NC runs a studio around $1,301, a one-bedroom around $1,323, a two-bedroom around $1,462, a three-bedroom around $1,715 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Raleigh?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,323 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year. The median household income here is $82,424.
How much does it cost to live in Raleigh per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Raleigh is about $1,490 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Raleigh with nearby cities

Raleigh vs Charlotte Raleigh vs Virginia Beach Raleigh vs Washington Raleigh vs Baltimore Raleigh vs Philadelphia Raleigh vs Atlanta

Nearby cities

Charlotte, NC 130 mi Virginia Beach, VA 166 mi Washington, DC 233 mi Baltimore, MD 267 mi Philadelphia, PA 345 mi Atlanta, GA 355 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.