Moving from Atlanta to Raleigh (2026)
Raleigh has a COL index of 101 vs 110 for Atlanta (100 = US average). You'd pay about 8% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$251/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
110101
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,900$1,700
per month
State tax
5.5%4.5%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,397$4,459
per month
Salary needed in Raleigh to match your Atlanta lifestyle
Based on the 8% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Atlanta | Equivalent in Raleigh |
|---|---|
| $40K | $36,727 |
| $50K | $45,909 |
| $60K | $55,091 |
| $75K | $68,864 |
| $80K | $73,455 |
| $100K | $91,818 |
| $120K | $110,182 |
| $150K | $137,727 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Atlanta vs Raleigh
| Expense | Atlanta | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,397 | $4,459 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $1,700 |
| Groceries | $376 | $365 |
| Transport | $95 | $70 |
| Utilities | $165 | $150 |
| Internet | $60 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $1,801 | $2,114 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Raleigh cheaper than Atlanta?
Yes. Raleigh has a cost of living index of 101 vs 110 for Atlanta (100 = US average). That's about 8% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Atlanta to Raleigh?
On a $75K salary, moving from Atlanta to Raleigh could save roughly $251/month on core expenses. That's ~$3,012/year.
What salary do I need in Raleigh to match my Atlanta lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Atlanta, you'd need roughly $68,864/year in Raleigh. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Raleigh to AtlantaAtlanta vs Raleigh — full comparisonAtlanta cost of livingRaleigh cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only