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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Paducah, KY โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Nashville, TN area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $889/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $160.7K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 11.9%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$889
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$10.7K
Per year

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

Paducah, KY

Population:27K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$187K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K
Cost Index:112
Median Home:$512K

Paducah, KY

The Bluegrass State

27K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 27K 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: Paducah, KY vs Raleigh, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 22.9%
Paducah, KY
$2,009
Raleigh, NC
$2,469
Difference
$460
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 18.8%
Paducah, KY
$1,081
Raleigh, NC
$1,284
Difference
$203
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 10.1%
Paducah, KY
$871
Raleigh, NC
$959
Difference
$88.25
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 4.4%
Paducah, KY
$1,635
Raleigh, NC
$1,707
Difference
$72.61
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 14.7%
Paducah, KY
$476
Raleigh, NC
$546
Difference
$70.11
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 7.9%
Paducah, KY
$557
Raleigh, NC
$601
Difference
$43.86
more

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Paducah, KY: Paducah 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$508
To$1,570
โ†‘ $1,062
1 Bed
From$590
To$1,640
โ†‘ $1,050
2 Bed
From$737
To$1,800
โ†‘ $1,063
3 Bed
From$887
To$2,255
โ†‘ $1,368
Paducah, KYZIP-level data

1BR range: $720โ€“$930/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.

$6,629
Monthly in Paducah, KY
$7,567
Monthly in Raleigh, NC
$938
Difference

Home Values

Paducah
Raleigh
$187K
Median Value
$512K
โ†‘ +4.5%
YoY Change
โ†“ -0.5%
โ†‘ +35%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +38.2%
$156K - $217K
Price Range
$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 174% more expensive than Paducah

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $375
Per year
Monthly Difference
$31.25
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.3%
Rate difference

Paducah, 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

Paducah, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:0.9%

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

Paducah
Raleigh
50 Good
Air Quality
46 Good
51.6%
Good Air Days
61.7%
97 High
Climate Risk
96 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿซจ๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
42 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
42 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days

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

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