Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than St. Cloud, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 0.4% more expensive than St. Cloud, MN. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in St. Cloud, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Cloud, MN, you'd need approximately $150,367.359 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Cloud, MN and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 9.3% more expensive than in St. Cloud, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $996/month in St. Cloud, MN.

How much can I save per month by moving from St. Cloud, MN to Raleigh, NC?

St. Cloud, MN and Raleigh, NC have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Cloud, MN vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 St. Cloud, MN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Minneapolis, MN area

Current salary in St. Cloud, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $30.61/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.4K in Raleigh, NC

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

Overall Cost

↑ 0.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$30.61

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$367

Per year

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

St. Cloud, MN

Population:71K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$259K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$512K

St. Cloud, MN

The North Star State

71K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 71K 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: St. Cloud, MN vs Raleigh, NC

Category	St. Cloud, MN	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,259/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $209more	9.3%
📦Other	$1,587/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $120more	7.6%
🏥Healthcare	$715/mo	$601/mo	↓ $114less	15.9%
⚡All Utilities	$481/mo	$546/mo	↑ $65.80more	13.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,234/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $49.94more	4.0%
🛒Groceries	$973/mo	$959/mo	↓ $14.14less	1.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 9.3%

St. Cloud, MN

$2,259

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$209

📦Other

↑ 7.6%

St. Cloud, MN

$1,587

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$120

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.9%

St. Cloud, MN

$715

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$114

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 13.7%

St. Cloud, MN

$481

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$65.80

🚗Transportation

↑ 4.0%

St. Cloud, MN

$1,234

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$49.94

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.5%

St. Cloud, MN

$973

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$14.14

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$722

To$1,570

↑ $848

1 Bed

From$760

To$1,640

↑ $880

2 Bed

From$996

To$1,800

↑ $804

3 Bed

From$1,323

To$2,255

↑ $932

St. Cloud, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $890–$1,250/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.

$7,250

Monthly in St. Cloud, MN

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$317

Difference

Home Values

St. Cloud

Raleigh

$259K

Median Value

$512K

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +35.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$231K - $302K

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 98% more expensive than St. Cloud

Calculate payment - St. Cloud Calculate payment - Raleigh

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.3K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$276

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

St. Cloud, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

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

St. Cloud, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

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.