salaryRaleigh is 9% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in Raleigh to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$3,112
$1,822
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$2,480
$1,658
💵 Families earn per year
$104,986
$92,099
🔑 Buying a house
$731,700
$415,800
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
108.3
98.2
🏛️ Property tax per year
$4,456
$3,048
⚡ Electric bill per month
$113
$133
👥 People living there
666,442
481,031
Commute to work
30.3 min
23 min
College degree
54.9%
54%
Own their home
35.7%
50.7%
Below poverty line
16.6%
11.9%
Unemployment
6.1%
4.4%
Bottom line
- Pick Boston for higher incomes, a more educated workforce.
- Pick Raleigh for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes and 3 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Boston | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher | $98,060 | $60,170 | -39% in Raleigh |
| Firefighter | $73,990 | $45,640 | -38% in Raleigh |
| Plumber | $96,760 | $60,540 | -37% in Raleigh |
| Carpenter | $75,210 | $50,820 | -32% in Raleigh |
| Electrician | $79,910 | $56,800 | -29% in Raleigh |
| Lawyer | $183,350 | $131,920 | -28% in Raleigh |
| HVAC Technician | $78,530 | $58,900 | -25% in Raleigh |
| Market Research Analyst | $102,390 | $78,980 | -23% in Raleigh |
Frequently asked questions
Is Boston or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is about 9% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,822 a month there versus $3,112 in Boston.
What salary do I need in Raleigh to match $60,000 in Boston?
About $54,398 a year gives the same standard of living in Raleigh.
Where do people earn more, Boston or Raleigh?
The typical household earns $104,986 in Boston and $92,099 in Raleigh, 14% more in Boston.