Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Ridgewood, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 5.1% cheaper than Ridgewood, NJ. This translates to saving $381 per month.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in Ridgewood, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Ridgewood, NJ, you'd need approximately $145,426.388 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Ridgewood, NJ and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 28.2% more expensive than in Ridgewood, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $2,614/month in Ridgewood, NJ.

How much can I save per month by moving from Ridgewood, NJ to Raleigh, NC?

Moving from Ridgewood, NJ to Raleigh, NC could save you approximately $381 per month, or $4574 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Ridgewood, NJ vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Ridgewood, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Ridgewood, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $381/month moving to Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $145.4K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↓ 5.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$381

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.6K

Per year

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

Ridgewood, NJ

Population:26K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.16M

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:95

Median Home:$512K

Ridgewood, NJ

The Garden State

26K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 26K 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: Ridgewood, NJ vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Ridgewood, NJ	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,925/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $543more	28.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,512/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $228less	15.1%
📦Other	$1,917/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $209less	10.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,069/mo	$959/mo	↓ $110less	10.3%
🏥Healthcare	$669/mo	$601/mo	↓ $68.00less	10.2%
⚡All Utilities	$579/mo	$546/mo	↓ $32.94less	5.7%

🏠Housing

↑ 28.2%

Ridgewood, NJ

$1,925

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$543

🚗Transportation

↓ 15.1%

Ridgewood, NJ

$1,512

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$228

less

📦Other

↓ 10.9%

Ridgewood, NJ

$1,917

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$209

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.3%

Ridgewood, NJ

$1,069

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$110

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.2%

Ridgewood, NJ

$669

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$68.00

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 5.7%

Ridgewood, NJ

$579

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$32.94

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,003

To$1,570

↓ $433

1 Bed

From$2,276

To$1,640

↓ $636

2 Bed

From$2,614

To$1,800

↓ $814

3 Bed

From$3,185

To$2,255

↓ $930

Ridgewood, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,830–$2,830/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.

$7,672

Monthly in Ridgewood, NJ

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$105

Difference

Home Values

Ridgewood

Raleigh

$1.16M

Median Value

$512K

↑ +7.6%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +48.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$1.16M

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 56% less expensive than Ridgewood

Calculate payment - Ridgewood Calculate payment - Raleigh

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $306

Per year

Monthly Difference

$25.46

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.2%

Rate difference

Ridgewood, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

Ridgewood, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.