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
$1,826
$1,822
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,712
$1,658
💵 Families earn per year
$89,248
$92,099
🔑 Buying a house
$408,000
$415,800
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
103.3
98.2
🏛️ Property tax per year
$1,604
$3,048
⚡ Electric bill per month
$168
$133
👥 People living there
511,764
481,031
Commute to work
24.7 min
23 min
College degree
32.5%
54%
Own their home
64.4%
50.7%
Below poverty line
10.3%
11.9%
Unemployment
4.2%
4.4%
Bottom line
- Pick Mesa for cheaper homes, less poverty, lower unemployment.
- Pick Raleigh for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, higher incomes and 2 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Mesa | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $47,530 | $34,860 | -27% in Raleigh |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | $45,640 | -26% in Raleigh |
| Police Officer | $85,050 | $65,860 | -23% in Raleigh |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,080 | $64,080 | -18% in Raleigh |
| Operations Manager | $98,610 | $114,940 | +17% in Raleigh |
| Registered Nurse | $100,830 | $84,830 | -16% in Raleigh |
| Carpenter | $60,320 | $50,820 | -16% in Raleigh |
| Cashier | $34,920 | $29,770 | -15% in Raleigh |
Frequently asked questions
Is Mesa or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is about 5% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,822 a month there versus $1,826 in Mesa.
What salary do I need in Raleigh to match $60,000 in Mesa?
About $57,004 a year gives the same standard of living in Raleigh.
Where do people earn more, Mesa or Raleigh?
The typical household earns $89,248 in Mesa and $92,099 in Raleigh, 3% more in Raleigh.