Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Rochester, NY?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 0.8% more expensive than Rochester, NY. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in Rochester, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in Rochester, NY, you'd need approximately $150,697.2 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Rochester, NY and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 17.1% more expensive than in Rochester, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $1,633/month in Rochester, NY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Rochester, NY to Raleigh, NC?

Rochester, NY and Raleigh, NC have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rochester, NY vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rochester, NY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Pittsburgh, PA area

Current salary in Rochester, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $58.10/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.7K in Raleigh, NC

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

Overall Cost

↑ 0.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$58.10

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$697

Per year

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

Rochester, NY

Population:207K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$198K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:101

Median Home:$512K

Rochester, NY

The Empire State

207K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 207K 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: Rochester, NY vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Rochester, NY	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,108/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $361more	17.1%
⚡All Utilities	$631/mo	$546/mo	↓ $84.34less	13.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$959/mo	↓ $69.51less	6.8%
🏥Healthcare	$548/mo	$601/mo	↑ $53.31more	9.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,315/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $30.79less	2.3%
📦Other	$1,738/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $30.55less	1.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 17.1%

Rochester, NY

$2,108

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$361

⚡All Utilities

↓ 13.4%

Rochester, NY

$631

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$84.34

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.8%

Rochester, NY

$1,029

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$69.51

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 9.7%

Rochester, NY

$548

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$53.31

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.3%

Rochester, NY

$1,315

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$30.79

less

📦Other

↓ 1.8%

Rochester, NY

$1,738

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$30.55

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,157

To$1,570

↑ $413

1 Bed

From$1,309

To$1,640

↑ $331

2 Bed

From$1,633

To$1,800

↑ $167

3 Bed

From$1,968

To$2,255

↑ $287

Rochester, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,050–$1,880/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.

$7,368

Monthly in Rochester, NY

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$199

Difference

Home Values

Rochester

Raleigh

$198K

Median Value

$512K

↑ +2.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +45.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$90K - $334K

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 159% more expensive than Rochester

Calculate payment - Rochester Calculate payment - Raleigh

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$202

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.6%

Rate difference

Rochester, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

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

Rochester, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.