salaryRaleigh is 5% 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
$1,983
$1,822
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,622
$1,658
💵 Families earn per year
$84,017
$92,099
🔑 Buying a house
$334,100
$415,800
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
103.6
98.2
🏛️ Property tax per year
$4,943
$3,048
⚡ Electric bill per month
$90
$133
👥 People living there
2,711,226
481,031
Commute to work
33.1 min
23 min
College degree
44.3%
54%
Own their home
46%
50.7%
Below poverty line
16.8%
11.9%
Unemployment
8%
4.4%
Bottom line
- Pick Chicago for cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes.
- Pick Raleigh for lower rent, higher incomes, shorter commutes and 3 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Chicago | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $82,820 | $45,640 | -45% in Raleigh |
| Electrician | $102,350 | $56,800 | -45% in Raleigh |
| Plumber | $103,380 | $60,540 | -41% in Raleigh |
| Police Officer | $107,810 | $65,860 | -39% in Raleigh |
| Carpenter | $80,440 | $50,820 | -37% in Raleigh |
| HVAC Technician | $77,960 | $58,900 | -24% in Raleigh |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,390 | $60,170 | -23% in Raleigh |
| Lawyer | $165,660 | $131,920 | -20% in Raleigh |
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is about 5% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,822 a month there versus $1,983 in Chicago.
What salary do I need in Raleigh to match $60,000 in Chicago?
About $56,850 a year gives the same standard of living in Raleigh.
Where do people earn more, Chicago or Raleigh?
The typical household earns $84,017 in Chicago and $92,099 in Raleigh, 9% more in Raleigh.