Cost of Living in Raleigh, United States
Raleigh is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,522 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,783 per month, or $1,373 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Raleigh scores 50/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 91°F and winter highs around 57°F, with roughly 227 sunny days a year.
How Raleigh Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Raleigh ranks in the top 5% for healthcare, but sits in the bottom 8% for walkability. It costs more than 82% of them.
| Metric | Raleigh | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,522 | #281 of 340 | #41 of 80 |
| Safety | 50/100 | #237 of 340 | #31 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 92/100 | #14 of 340 | #14 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 28/100 | #315 of 340 | #72 of 80 |
| Public transit | 18/100 | #264 of 340 | #58 of 80 |
| Food scene | 68/100 | #241 of 340 | #61 of 80 |
| Air quality | 79/100 | #205 of 340 | #55 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Raleigh
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Raleigh.
- Des Moines, United States — $2,101/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 52/100
- Niagara Falls, Canada — $1,700/mo, 33% cheaper, safety 80/100
- Edmonton, Canada — $2,081/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 74/100
- Winnipeg, Canada — $1,631/mo, 35% cheaper, safety 70/100
Everyday Prices in Raleigh, Compared
| Item | Raleigh | Against other cities |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR rent, city centre | $1,783/mo | Pricier than 80% |
| 1BR rent, outside centre | $1,373/mo | Pricier than 80% |
| Utilities | $196/mo | Pricier than 61% |
| Home internet | $65/mo | Pricier than 75% |
| Transit pass | $40/mo | Cheaper than 56% |
| Gym membership | $40/mo | Cheaper than 64% |
| Cheap restaurant meal | $20 | Pricier than 75% |
| Cappuccino | $0.89 | Cheaper than 99% |
| Local beer at a bar | $6 | Pricier than 66% |
Compared with every other city in Voyica's price data that reports the same item.
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Raleigh
Raleigh FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Raleigh?
A single person should budget around $2,522 per month in Raleigh, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $4,162 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Raleigh?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Raleigh averages $1,783 per month, dropping to about $1,373 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $3,074.
Is Raleigh safe?
Raleigh scores 50/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 68/100.
How fast is the internet in Raleigh?
Median download speeds in Raleigh are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 65 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Raleigh?
Raleigh sees summer highs around 91°F and winter highs near 57°F, with about 227 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 96 days.
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