Quick answer
Raleigh is 111% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Raleigh is equivalent to $211,000 in Los Angeles.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh vs Los Angeles Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Raleigh is 111% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+62% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$211,000
Raleigh vs Los Angeles: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,480/mo
$2,400/mo
+62%
2BR median rent
$1,860/mo
$3,200/mo
+72%
Median home price
$420K
$850K
+102%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$440
+26%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$140
-3%
State income tax
4.5%
Up to 13.3%
Raleigh saves
Walk score
34/100
68/100
Los Angeles better
Transit score
25/100
53/100
Los Angeles better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Los Angeles to maintain the same standard of living as your current Raleigh salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$127,000
$28,000
$80,000
$169,000
$38,000
$100,000
$211,000
$47,000
$120,000
$253,000
$57,000
$150,000
$317,000
$71,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Raleigh vs Los Angeles
Who Each City Is Best For
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
FAQs
Is Raleigh or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is 111% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Raleigh 1BR rent ($1,480/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Raleigh $420K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100K in Raleigh?
$211,000 in Los Angeles is equivalent to $100,000 in Raleigh based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+62% difference) and state taxes (Raleigh: 4.5% vs Los Angeles: Up to 13.3%).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Los Angeles?
1BR: Raleigh $1,480/mo vs Los Angeles $2,400/mo (+62%). 2BR: Raleigh $1,860/mo vs Los Angeles $3,200/mo (+72%).
Does Raleigh or Los Angeles have lower taxes?
Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$8,800.