Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Fort Myers, FL?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 1.5% more expensive than Fort Myers, FL. This translates to spending an extra $109 per month.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in Fort Myers, FL?

If you earn $150,000 in Fort Myers, FL, you'd need approximately $151,310.687 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Fort Myers, FL and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 9.3% more expensive than in Fort Myers, FL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $1,487/month in Fort Myers, FL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Fort Myers, FL to Raleigh, NC?

Living in Raleigh, NC costs approximately $109 more per month than Fort Myers, FL, or $1311 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fort Myers, FL vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fort Myers, FL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Tampa, FL area

Current salary in Fort Myers, FL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $109/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $151.3K in Raleigh, NC

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

Overall Cost

↑ 1.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$109

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$1.3K

Per year

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

Fort Myers, FL

Population:97K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$274K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:101

Median Home:$512K

Fort Myers, FL

The Sunshine State

97K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Florida, this city has a population of 97K residents.

💡 Advantage: Florida 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: Fort Myers, FL vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Fort Myers, FL	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,258/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $211more	9.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,192/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $92.16more	7.7%
🏥Healthcare	$549/mo	$601/mo	↑ $51.81more	9.4%
📦Other	$1,678/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $29.32more	1.7%
🛒Groceries	$982/mo	$959/mo	↓ $22.70less	2.3%
⚡All Utilities	$553/mo	$546/mo	↓ $6.35less	1.1%

🏠Housing

↑ 9.3%

Fort Myers, FL

$2,258

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$211

🚗Transportation

↑ 7.7%

Fort Myers, FL

$1,192

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$92.16

🏥Healthcare

↑ 9.4%

Fort Myers, FL

$549

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$51.81

📦Other

↑ 1.7%

Fort Myers, FL

$1,678

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$29.32

🛒Groceries

↓ 2.3%

Fort Myers, FL

$982

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$22.70

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 1.1%

Fort Myers, FL

$553

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$6.35

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,235

To$1,570

↑ $335

1 Bed

From$1,243

To$1,640

↑ $397

2 Bed

From$1,487

To$1,800

↑ $313

3 Bed

From$1,941

To$2,255

↑ $314

Fort Myers, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340–$1,970/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.

$7,212

Monthly in Fort Myers, FL

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$355

Difference

Home Values

Fort Myers

Raleigh

$274K

Median Value

$512K

↓ -12.6%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +28.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$207K - $440K

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 87% more expensive than Fort Myers

Calculate payment - Fort Myers 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

Fort Myers, FL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Florida 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

Fort Myers, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.