Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Santa Cruz, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 48.5% cheaper than Santa Cruz, CA. This translates to saving $3637 per month.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in Santa Cruz, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Santa Cruz, CA, you'd need approximately $106,350.511 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Santa Cruz, CA and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 69.7% cheaper than in Santa Cruz, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $3,823/month in Santa Cruz, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Santa Cruz, CA to Raleigh, NC?

Moving from Santa Cruz, CA to Raleigh, NC could save you approximately $3637 per month, or $43649 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Santa Cruz, CA vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Santa Cruz, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from San Jose, CA area

Current salary in Santa Cruz, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.6K/month moving to Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $106.4K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 48.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,637

Savings

Annual Impact

$43.6K

Per year

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

Santa Cruz, CA

Population:62K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.24M

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:52

Median Home:$512K

Santa Cruz, CA

The Golden State

62K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 62K 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: Santa Cruz, CA vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Santa Cruz, CA	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$8,153/mo	$2,469/mo	↓ $5,684less	69.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,093/mo	$959/mo	↓ $134less	12.2%
⚡All Utilities	$450/mo	$546/mo	↑ $96.82more	21.5%
🏥Healthcare	$684/mo	$601/mo	↓ $82.74less	12.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,318/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $34.37less	2.6%
📦Other	$1,710/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $2.32less	0.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 69.7%

Santa Cruz, CA

$8,153

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$5,684

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.2%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,093

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$134

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 21.5%

Santa Cruz, CA

$450

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$96.82

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.1%

Santa Cruz, CA

$684

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$82.74

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.6%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,318

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$34.37

less

📦Other

↓ 0.1%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,710

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$2.32

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,883

To$1,570

↓ $1,313

1 Bed

From$2,995

To$1,640

↓ $1,355

2 Bed

From$3,823

To$1,800

↓ $2,023

3 Bed

From$4,875

To$2,255

↓ $2,620

Santa Cruz, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,900–$3,870/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.

$13,407

Monthly in Santa Cruz, CA

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$5,840

Difference

Home Values

Santa Cruz

Raleigh

$1.24M

Median Value

$512K

↑ +0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +25.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$648K - $1.27M

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 59% less expensive than Santa Cruz

Calculate payment - Santa Cruz Calculate payment - Raleigh

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$292

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.3%

Rate difference

Santa Cruz, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

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

Santa Cruz, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.