Raleigh, North Carolina
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Raleigh.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Raleigh?
For relocators asking how much Raleigh costs: the housing index sits at 117 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $377,800 and rents near $1,468. Local median income is about $82,424 and unemployment recently ran 3.2% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 24 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 255.7 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 117U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $377,800U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,468U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $82,424U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 24 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 255.7per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 89°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Raleigh compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 499,825City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $82,424Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 117ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year17% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $377,800City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year25% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,468City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year9% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 24 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3229% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 255.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)56% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1783.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)42% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 89°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 33°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (34°F)U.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 46.1 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals40% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 247As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Raleigh grew 23.0% from 406,353 in 2010 to 499,825 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Raleigh expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Raleigh runs 17 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 117 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $377,800 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,468 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Raleigh?
Budget first around $1,468/month rent or $377,800 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $377,800
- Median rent $1,468/month
- Median household income $82,424
What is the job market like in Raleigh?
Labor-market context for Raleigh: unemployment 3.2% and median income $82,424. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $82,424
How long is the typical commute in Raleigh?
Plan on roughly 24 minutes each way in Raleigh. Walk Score estimates around 32 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 24 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 32/100
Is Raleigh safer than similar U.S. cities?
Raleigh's FBI-derived violent rate (~255.7/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 255.7 per 100k
- Property 1783.1 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Raleigh?
Raleigh's climate profile: 89°F summer peaks, 33°F winter mornings, 46.1" annual rainfall, and 247 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 89°F
- Winter low 33°F
- 46.1 in rain · 247 sunny days
What nearby city comparisons involve Raleigh?
These curated pair pages put Raleigh beside another high-intent destination with the same proprietary metrics table.
About 499,825 people live in Raleigh, NC. Households here report a median income near $82,424; our housing-derived cost index is about 117 (above the national housing-cost baseline). Entry home prices around $377,800 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Piedmont research corridors and coastal storm exposure both matter. Pack for 89°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 33°F. Commutes average near 24 minutes one-way, with walkability near 32/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 3.2% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates around 255.7 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Raleigh sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Raleigh with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Raleigh city, 1600000US3755000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Wake County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013722 RALEIGH DURHAM INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10
Canonical profile · All North Carolina cities · Full city index