Raleigh is 4% 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
$1,814
$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
- Pick Philadelphia for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes.
- Pick Raleigh for higher incomes, shorter commutes, a more educated workforce and 2 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Philadelphia | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.