Living in Raleigh, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Raleigh · Census data 2020–2024
Raleigh has 481,031 residents with a median age of 34.7. The median household income is $85,395 (18% higher than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $415,800, the median rent is $1,572/month.
Raleigh at a glance
- Population
- 481,031
- Median age
- 34.7State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $85,395State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $415,800State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,572/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 50.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 54%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Raleigh a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 18% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 4.4%; a poverty rate of 11.9%.
Cons: Home values 44% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Raleigh
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Raleigh the median home value is $415,800, 25% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,572 per month, which is 30.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,910 a month in housing costs.
Raleigh median household income
The median household income in Raleigh is $85,395 and the income per person is $52,897. 11.9% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Raleigh: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 224,853
- Owner-occupied
- 50.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 49.3%
- Vacant
- 9.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1997
- Average household size
- 2.27
Raleigh demographics
- Population
- 481,031
- Median age
- 34.7
- Under 18
- 19.8%
- 65 and older
- 11.9%
- Households
- 203,443
- Foreign-born
- 13.8%
- Veterans
- 4.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Raleigh ›
Education in Raleigh
54% of adults 25 and older in Raleigh have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 21.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Raleigh
- Unemployment rate
- 4.4%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 25.8%
- Drive alone
- 62.3%
- Public transit
- 1.4%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.7%
Raleigh vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 481,031 | $85,395 | $415,800 | $1,572 |
| Knightdale | 20,214 | $103,220 | $380,100 | $1,674 |
| Garner | 34,473 | $78,756 | $355,000 | $1,549 |
| Cary | 179,306 | $134,905 | $580,200 | $1,738 |
| Morrisville | 31,422 | $125,396 | $518,800 | $1,858 |
| Rolesville | 10,766 | $149,565 | $535,000 | $1,085 |
| Wake Forest | 52,844 | $123,802 | $474,500 | $1,596 |
| Wendell | 13,064 | $95,787 | $330,500 | $1,457 |
| Apex | 70,630 | $144,135 | $576,100 | $1,902 |
More for people moving to Raleigh
Raleigh ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Raleigh: FAQ
What is the median household income in Raleigh, NC?
The median household income in Raleigh is $85,395, 18% higher than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Raleigh?
The median home value in Raleigh is $415,800, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Raleigh?
The median gross rent in Raleigh is $1,572 per month, about 30.9% of household income.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 18% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 4.4%; a poverty rate of 11.9%. Minuses: home values 44% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Raleigh?
The median age in Raleigh is 34.7 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Raleigh?
The average commute to work in Raleigh is 23 minutes; 25.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Raleigh?
The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 4.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Raleigh?
54% of adults in Raleigh have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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