Cost of Living in Raleigh, NC
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
137.5
100 = national avg
+37.5 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$60,490
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$142,977
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing170.0
Food113.0
Transportation126.0
Healthcare110.4
Utilities121.8
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$1,596
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,750
per month
The overall cost of living index in Raleigh is 137.5, which is 37.5% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 170.0. A single adult needs to earn approximately $60,490 per year to cover basic expenses.