Raleigh, United States

Cost of Living in Raleigh, United States

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Raleigh costs approximately $2,522 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,783. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 317 sunny days a year.

LGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$2,522≈ $84/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,783
Internet303 Mbps
Safety50/100
Avg Temp74°F

Raleigh Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$20
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$80
McDonald's Combo Meal$10
Cappuccino$0.89
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$6
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$2.07

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$0.89
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$3.54
Eggs (12)$4.50
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.53
Apples (1 lb)$2.81
Bananas (1 lb)$0.57
Tomatoes (1 lb)$2.51
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.34
Water (1.5L Bottle)$2.19
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$15
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$8.95

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.25
Monthly Transit Pass$40
Taxi Start$3
Taxi (1 Mile)$3.03
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.79
VW Golf (New)$35,535

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$195.86
Mobile Phone Plan$63.47
Broadband Internet$65.29

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$39.78
Cinema Ticket$15
Preschool (Monthly)$1,385.59
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$24,442.50

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$60.67
Nike Running Shoes$105.77

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,783.08
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,372.86
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$3,073.85
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$2,241.81
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$340.77
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$205.47

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$4,378.61
Mortgage Interest Rate6.37%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$4,161.50
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,149.20

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Raleigh

Internet303 Mbps
Safety50/100
Healthcare92/100
Public Transit18/100
Walkability28/100
Nightlife48/100
Food Scene68/100
Fine Dining15/100
Coffee Culture38/100
Air Quality79/100
Green Spaces60/100
Culture62/100
Beaches10/100
Hiking42/100
Surfing5/100
Coworking Spaces65

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.

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 317 sunny days and 101 rainy days per year.

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