Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Brentwood, TN?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 0.1% more expensive than Brentwood, TN. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in Brentwood, TN?

If you earn $150,000 in Brentwood, TN, you'd need approximately $150,084.608 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Brentwood, TN and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 10.0% more expensive than in Brentwood, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $1,951/month in Brentwood, TN.

How much can I save per month by moving from Brentwood, TN to Raleigh, NC?

Brentwood, TN and Raleigh, NC have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

Brentwood, TN vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Brentwood, TN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Nashville, TN area

Current salary in Brentwood, TN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $7.05/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.1K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN area

Overall Cost

↑ 0.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$7.05

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$84.61

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Brentwood, TN

Population:45K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.21M

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$512K

Brentwood, TN

The Volunteer State

45K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Tennessee, this city has a population of 45K residents.

💡 Advantage: Tennessee has no state income tax!

Raleigh, NC

The Tar Heel State

474K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Research Triangle
•State capital
•Major university town

Major Industries

TechnologyResearchEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Brentwood, TN vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Brentwood, TN	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,245/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $224more	10.0%
📦Other	$1,827/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $120less	6.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,208/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $75.93more	6.3%
⚡All Utilities	$504/mo	$546/mo	↑ $42.90more	8.5%
🛒Groceries	$921/mo	$959/mo	↑ $38.49more	4.2%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$601/mo	↑ $12.03more	2.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 10.0%

Brentwood, TN

$2,245

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$224

📦Other

↓ 6.5%

Brentwood, TN

$1,827

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$120

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 6.3%

Brentwood, TN

$1,208

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$75.93

⚡All Utilities

↑ 8.5%

Brentwood, TN

$504

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$42.90

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.2%

Brentwood, TN

$921

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$38.49

🏥Healthcare

↑ 2.0%

Brentwood, TN

$589

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$12.03

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,703

To$1,570

↓ $133

1 Bed

From$1,783

To$1,640

↓ $143

2 Bed

From$1,951

To$1,800

↓ $151

3 Bed

From$2,495

To$2,255

↓ $240

Brentwood, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,230–$2,230/mo

Raleigh, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400–$1,880/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,293

Monthly in Brentwood, TN

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$274

Difference

Home Values

Brentwood

Raleigh

$1.21M

Median Value

$512K

↑ +2.4%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +60.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$1.21M

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 58% less expensive than Brentwood

Calculate payment - Brentwood Calculate payment - Raleigh

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$594

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

Rate difference

Brentwood, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Raleigh, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Brentwood, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

Raleigh, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.