Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Crystal Lake, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 1.4% more expensive than Crystal Lake, IL. This translates to spending an extra $104 per month.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in Crystal Lake, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Crystal Lake, IL, you'd need approximately $151,243.38 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Crystal Lake, IL and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 1.1% more expensive than in Crystal Lake, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $1,433/month in Crystal Lake, IL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Crystal Lake, IL to Raleigh, NC?

Living in Raleigh, NC costs approximately $104 more per month than Crystal Lake, IL, or $1243 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Crystal Lake, IL vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Crystal Lake, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in Crystal Lake, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $104/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $151.2K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 1.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$104

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$1.2K

Per year

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

Crystal Lake, IL

Population:41K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$408K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:101

Median Home:$512K

Crystal Lake, IL

The Prairie State

41K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 41K residents.

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: Crystal Lake, IL vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Crystal Lake, IL	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$1,487/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $203less	13.7%
📦Other	$1,556/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $152more	9.8%
⚡All Utilities	$488/mo	$546/mo	↑ $58.06more	11.9%
🏥Healthcare	$560/mo	$601/mo	↑ $41.41more	7.4%
🏠Housing	$2,443/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $26.08more	1.1%
🛒Groceries	$968/mo	$959/mo	↓ $9.01less	0.9%

🚗Transportation

↓ 13.7%

Crystal Lake, IL

$1,487

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$203

less

📦Other

↑ 9.8%

Crystal Lake, IL

$1,556

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$152

⚡All Utilities

↑ 11.9%

Crystal Lake, IL

$488

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$58.06

🏥Healthcare

↑ 7.4%

Crystal Lake, IL

$560

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$41.41

🏠Housing

↑ 1.1%

Crystal Lake, IL

$2,443

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$26.08

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.9%

Crystal Lake, IL

$968

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$9.01

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,189

To$1,570

↑ $381

1 Bed

From$1,275

To$1,640

↑ $365

2 Bed

From$1,433

To$1,800

↑ $367

3 Bed

From$1,843

To$2,255

↑ $412

Crystal Lake, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,610–$1,780/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.

$7,502

Monthly in Crystal Lake, IL

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$65.23

Difference

Home Values

Crystal Lake

Raleigh

$408K

Median Value

$512K

↑ +5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +46.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$349K - $466K

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 25% more expensive than Crystal Lake

Calculate payment - Crystal Lake Calculate payment - Raleigh

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $300

Per year

Monthly Difference

$25.00

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.2%

Rate difference

Crystal Lake, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/month

$105.6K

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

Crystal Lake, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

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.