Raleigh wins overall by ~38% (COL index)
Cost of living: Raleigh vs Boston (2026)
A $80,000 salary in Raleigh buys roughly what $128,317 does in Boston (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$22,652/yr
Favoring Raleigh for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,888/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~8 months and still keep ~$227/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Raleigh North Carolina | Boston Massachusetts | Who wins | Your impact at $80K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $2,400 | Raleigh wins +$1,000/mo | $12,000/yr saves in Raleigh |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,700Wins | $3,000 | Raleigh wins +$1,300/mo | $15,600/yr saves in Raleigh |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,200Wins | $4,000 | Raleigh wins +$1,800/mo | $21,600/yr saves in Raleigh |
| Median home price | $380KWins | $700K | Raleigh wins +$320K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Wins | 110 | Raleigh wins +14 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Wins | $18 | Raleigh wins +$5/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55Wins | $75 | Raleigh wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Raleigh |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $70Wins | $90 | Raleigh wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Raleigh |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.40 | Raleigh wins +$0.30 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Wins | $165 | Raleigh wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Raleigh |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $150Wins | $185 | Raleigh wins +$35/mo | $420/yr saves in Raleigh |
| Internet/mo | $60Wins | $70 | Raleigh wins +$10/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $70K | $90KWins | Boston wins +$20K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Better | 5.0% | Raleigh wins +0.5 pp | $400/yr saves in Raleigh |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5% | 6.3%Wins | Boston wins -1.2 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $17.00 | Raleigh wins +$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Wins | $60 | Raleigh wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Raleigh |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Wins | $8.00 | Raleigh wins +$2.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 101Wins | 162 | Raleigh wins +61 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 26 | 80Wins | Boston wins +54 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Raleigh fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Raleigh.
High-yield savings
Park ~$15,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Raleigh cheaper than Boston?
Yes. Raleigh is 38% cheaper than Boston based on overall cost of living indices (101 vs 162, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Raleigh vs Boston?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Raleigh is $1,700/month and in Boston is $3,000/month. Raleigh is cheaper by 43%.
How much do I need to earn in Boston to match a $75,000 salary in Raleigh?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $120,297/year in Boston to match a $75,000 salary in Raleigh. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Raleigh or Boston?
Raleigh has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 5%. The difference is 0.5 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Raleigh to Boston?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Raleigh ↔ Boston
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