salaryRaleigh is the 2nd-largest city in North Carolina that we track, with 481,031 residents. Rent is higher than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.5 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $72,880 a year. That is $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of North Carolina. It is number 118 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Raleigh with other big cities
Compare Raleigh to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Raleigh?
Share of households by yearly income. 32.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Raleigh
| Size | Raleigh | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,436 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,481 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,658 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,901 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,277 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Raleigh overall?
Everyday prices in the Raleigh-Cary metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Raleigh
Life in Raleigh
What jobs pay in Raleigh
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,120 | 16.4% |
| Software Developer | $132,770 | 16.5% |
| Lawyer | $131,920 | 16.6% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,150 | 17.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $124,300 | 17.6% |
| Operations Manager | $114,940 | 19.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $108,480 | 20.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,440 | 21.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,800 | 22.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,830 | 25.8% |
| Accountant | $81,950 | 26.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $78,980 | 27.7% |
| Police Officer | $65,860 | 33.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,080 | 34.1% |
| Plumber | $60,540 | 36.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,170 | 36.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,900 | 37.1% |
| Electrician | $56,800 | 38.5% |
| Truck Driver | $52,110 | 42.0% |
| Carpenter | $50,820 | 43.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,160 | 47.4% |
| Firefighter | $45,640 | 47.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,900 | 52.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,710 | 55.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,470 | 56.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,280 | 60.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,860 | 62.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,100 | 66.1% |
| Cashier | $29,770 | 73.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Raleigh?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,063 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $415,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $41,580 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Raleigh, NC?
Renting in Raleigh costs a median of about $1,822 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Raleigh?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $72,880 a year, or $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Raleigh cheap or expensive?
Raleigh is rated OK: rent takes 23.7% of the typical household income of $92,099. It ranks 118th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Raleigh?
The median homeowner in Raleigh pays $3,048 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is Raleigh more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Raleigh?
The median home value in Raleigh is $415,800, about 4.5 times the typical yearly household income.
481,031 people live in Raleigh. Numbers are typical (middle) values.