Quick answer
Seattle is 3% cheaper than Raleigh overall. A $100K salary in Seattle is equivalent to $103,000 in Raleigh.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Seattle vs Raleigh Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Seattle is 3% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-30% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$103,000
Seattle vs Raleigh: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,480/mo
-30%
2BR median rent
$2,750/mo
$1,860/mo
-32%
Median home price
$780K
$420K
-46%
Avg monthly groceries
$430
$350
-19%
Avg monthly utilities
$130
$145
+12%
State income tax
None
4.5%
Seattle saves
Walk score
74/100
34/100
Seattle better
Transit score
59/100
25/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of living as your current Seattle salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$62,000
$58,000
$80,000
$83,000
$77,000
$100,000
$103,000
$97,000
$120,000
$124,000
$116,000
$150,000
$155,000
$145,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Seattle vs Raleigh
Who Each City Is Best For
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
FAQs
Is Seattle or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Seattle is 3% cheaper than Raleigh overall. Seattle 1BR rent ($2,100/mo) vs Raleigh ($1,480/mo). Median home price: Seattle $780K vs Raleigh $420K.
How much salary do I need in Raleigh to match $100K in Seattle?
$103,000 in Raleigh is equivalent to $100,000 in Seattle based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-30% difference) and state taxes (Seattle: None vs Raleigh: 4.5%).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Raleigh?
1BR: Seattle $2,100/mo vs Raleigh $1,480/mo (-30%). 2BR: Seattle $2,750/mo vs Raleigh $1,860/mo (-32%).
Does Seattle or Raleigh have lower taxes?
Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,500.