Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Erie, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 5.3% more expensive than Erie, PA. This translates to spending an extra $397 per month.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in Erie, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Erie, PA, you'd need approximately $154,766.429 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Erie, PA and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 32.1% more expensive than in Erie, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $1,427/month in Erie, PA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Erie, PA to Raleigh, NC?

Living in Raleigh, NC costs approximately $397 more per month than Erie, PA, or $4766 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Erie, PA vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Erie, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Cleveland, OH area

Current salary in Erie, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $397/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $154.8K in Raleigh, NC

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

Overall Cost

↑ 5.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$397

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$4.8K

Per year

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

Erie, PA

Population:93K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$150K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:105

Median Home:$512K

Erie, PA

The Keystone State

93K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 93K 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: Erie, PA vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Erie, PA	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,868/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $600more	32.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,535/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $251less	16.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,027/mo	$959/mo	↓ $68.07less	6.6%
⚡All Utilities	$492/mo	$546/mo	↑ $54.13more	11.0%
🏥Healthcare	$558/mo	$601/mo	↑ $42.79more	7.7%
📦Other	$1,749/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $41.50less	2.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 32.1%

Erie, PA

$1,868

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$600

🚗Transportation

↓ 16.3%

Erie, PA

$1,535

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$251

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.6%

Erie, PA

$1,027

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$68.07

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 11.0%

Erie, PA

$492

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$54.13

🏥Healthcare

↑ 7.7%

Erie, PA

$558

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$42.79

📦Other

↓ 2.4%

Erie, PA

$1,749

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$41.50

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Erie, PA: Erie Earned Income Tax$4,350/yr (2.9%)

Raleigh, NC has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$989

To$1,570

↑ $581

1 Bed

From$1,112

To$1,640

↑ $528

2 Bed

From$1,427

To$1,800

↑ $373

3 Bed

From$1,764

To$2,255

↑ $491

Erie, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,200/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.

$7,230

Monthly in Erie, PA

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$337

Difference

Home Values

Erie

Raleigh

$150K

Median Value

$512K

↑ +4.5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +49.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$65K - $276K

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 240% more expensive than Erie

Calculate payment - Erie Calculate payment - Raleigh

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.5K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$210

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.7%

Rate difference

Erie, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

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

Erie, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

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.