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Philadelphia vs Raleigh: which is cheaper?

Raleigh is 4% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

I need $57,428 in Raleigh to live the same way.

🏠 Rent per month
$1,814
$1,822
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,623
$1,658
💵 Families earn per year
$66,816
$92,099
🔑 Buying a house
$243,100
$415,800
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
102.6
98.2
🏛️ Property tax per year
$2,003
$3,048
⚡ Electric bill per month
$112
$133
👥 People living there
1,579,706
481,031
Commute to work
31.7 min
23 min
College degree
35.4%
54%
Own their home
51.8%
50.7%
Below poverty line
21.4%
11.9%
Unemployment
8.1%
4.4%

Bottom line

Pay for the same job

JobPhiladelphiaRaleighDifference
Firefighter$78,050$45,640-42% in Raleigh
Police Officer$89,580$65,860-26% in Raleigh
Electrician$74,590$56,800-24% in Raleigh
Elementary School Teacher$78,570$60,170-23% in Raleigh
Lawyer$170,660$131,920-23% in Raleigh
Plumber$74,860$60,540-19% in Raleigh
Carpenter$61,780$50,820-18% in Raleigh
Registered Nurse$101,180$84,830-16% in Raleigh

Frequently asked questions

Is Philadelphia or Raleigh cheaper to live in?

Raleigh is about 4% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,822 a month there versus $1,814 in Philadelphia.

What salary do I need in Raleigh to match $60,000 in Philadelphia?

About $57,428 a year gives the same standard of living in Raleigh.

Where do people earn more, Philadelphia or Raleigh?

The typical household earns $66,816 in Philadelphia and $92,099 in Raleigh, 27% more in Raleigh.

More comparisons

All Philadelphia comparisons → · All Raleigh comparisons →

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