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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Gadsden, AL โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Birmingham, AL area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $841/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $160.1K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 11.2%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$841
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$10.1K
Per year

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

Gadsden, AL

Population:33K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$107K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K
Cost Index:111
Median Home:$512K

Gadsden, AL

The Heart of Dixie

33K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Alabama, this city has a population of 33K residents.

Raleigh, NC

The Tar Heel State

474K
Population
State Tax
Yes
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขResearch Triangle
  • โ€ขState capital
  • โ€ขMajor university town

Major Industries

TechnologyResearchEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Gadsden, AL vs Raleigh, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 28.0%
Gadsden, AL
$1,928
Raleigh, NC
$2,469
Difference
$541
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 8.2%
Gadsden, AL
$1,578
Raleigh, NC
$1,707
Difference
$130
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 16.7%
Gadsden, AL
$515
Raleigh, NC
$601
Difference
$86.08
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 6.5%
Gadsden, AL
$1,205
Raleigh, NC
$1,284
Difference
$78.88
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 0.9%
Gadsden, AL
$542
Raleigh, NC
$546
Difference
$4.77
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†“ 0.1%
Gadsden, AL
$961
Raleigh, NC
$959
Difference
$1.23
less

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Gadsden, AL: Gadsden 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.

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$622
To$1,570
โ†‘ $948
1 Bed
From$772
To$1,640
โ†‘ $868
2 Bed
From$902
To$1,800
โ†‘ $898
3 Bed
From$1,093
To$2,255
โ†‘ $1,162
Gadsden, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $770โ€“$770/mo

Raleigh, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400โ€“$1,880/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

$6,728
Monthly in Gadsden, AL
$7,567
Monthly in Raleigh, NC
$839
Difference

Home Values

Gadsden
Raleigh
$107K
Median Value
$512K
โ†“ -0.9%
YoY Change
โ†“ -0.5%
โ†‘ +29.8%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +38.2%
$107K
Price Range
$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 377% more expensive than Gadsden

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $335
Per year
Monthly Difference
$27.92
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.2%
Rate difference

Gadsden, AL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Alabama State Tax
Effective: 5.0%
$7.5K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.6%
$44.5K
Take-Home Pay
$8,794/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

Gadsden, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%
Property Tax:0.4%

Raleigh, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

๐Ÿ’ก 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

Gadsden
Raleigh
57 Moderate
Air Quality
46 Good
26%
Good Air Days
61.7%
98 High
Climate Risk
96 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
41 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
41 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Alabama and North Carolina on TaxTakeHome.com

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