Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Frankfort, KY?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 10.1% more expensive than Frankfort, KY. This translates to spending an extra $759 per month.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in Frankfort, KY?

If you earn $150,000 in Frankfort, KY, you'd need approximately $159,109.226 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Frankfort, KY and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 23.8% more expensive than in Frankfort, KY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $805/month in Frankfort, KY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Frankfort, KY to Raleigh, NC?

Living in Raleigh, NC costs approximately $759 more per month than Frankfort, KY, or $9109 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Frankfort, KY vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Frankfort, KY — COL adjusted from Lexington, KY area + state data

Current salary in Frankfort, KY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $759/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $159.1K in Raleigh, NC

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

Overall Cost

↑ 10.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$759

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$9.1K

Per year

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

Frankfort, KY

Population:28K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$345K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:110

Median Home:$512K

Frankfort, KY

The Bluegrass State

28K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 28K 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: Frankfort, KY vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Frankfort, KY	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,994/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $475more	23.8%
📦Other	$1,554/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $154more	9.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,151/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $133more	11.5%
⚡All Utilities	$452/mo	$546/mo	↑ $94.40more	20.9%
🏥Healthcare	$537/mo	$601/mo	↑ $64.34more	12.0%
🛒Groceries	$934/mo	$959/mo	↑ $25.69more	2.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 23.8%

Frankfort, KY

$1,994

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$475

📦Other

↑ 9.9%

Frankfort, KY

$1,554

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$154

🚗Transportation

↑ 11.5%

Frankfort, KY

$1,151

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$133

⚡All Utilities

↑ 20.9%

Frankfort, KY

$452

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$94.40

🏥Healthcare

↑ 12.0%

Frankfort, KY

$537

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$64.34

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.8%

Frankfort, KY

$934

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$25.69

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Frankfort, KY: Frankfort Occupational Tax$3,000/yr (2.0%)

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$580

To$1,570

↑ $990

1 Bed

From$660

To$1,640

↑ $980

2 Bed

From$805

To$1,800

↑ $995

3 Bed

From$1,087

To$2,255

↑ $1,168

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.

$6,621

Monthly in Frankfort, KY

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$946

Difference

Home Values

Frankfort

Raleigh

Median Value

$512K

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Calculate payment - Raleigh

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $375

Per year

Monthly Difference

$31.25

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Frankfort, KY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kentucky State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Frankfort, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.

Environment

Frankfort

Raleigh

41 Good

Air Quality

46 Good

79.2%

Good Air Days

61.7%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

96 High

🌪💨

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

21 days

Heat Days >95°F

31 days

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

21 days

Heat Days >95°F

31 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Kentucky and North Carolina on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Frankfort, KY on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Raleigh, NC

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $759/month more in Raleigh, NC

Frankfort, KY

Raleigh, NC

Frankfort, KY

Raleigh, NC

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code14 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP14 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Frankfort, KY

Raleigh, NC

Additional Tax Information

Frankfort, KY Tax Rates

Raleigh, NC Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Raleigh, NC