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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Wilkes-Barre, PA โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $860/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $160.3K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 11.5%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$860
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$10.3K
Per year

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

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Population:44K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$179K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K
Cost Index:111
Median Home:$512K

Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Keystone State

44K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 44K 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: Wilkes-Barre, PA vs Raleigh, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 37.9%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,790
Raleigh, NC
$2,469
Difference
$679
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 11.9%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,526
Raleigh, NC
$1,707
Difference
$182
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†“ 6.3%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,024
Raleigh, NC
$959
Difference
$64.61
less
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 5.1%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,222
Raleigh, NC
$1,284
Difference
$62.48
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 6.7%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$563
Raleigh, NC
$601
Difference
$37.95
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 2.8%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$562
Raleigh, NC
$546
Difference
$16.01
less

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Wilkes-Barre, PA: Wilkes-Barre Earned Income Tax$4,500/yr (3.0%)

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$581
To$1,570
โ†‘ $989
1 Bed
From$694
To$1,640
โ†‘ $946
2 Bed
From$844
To$1,800
โ†‘ $956
3 Bed
From$1,100
To$2,255
โ†‘ $1,155
Wilkes-Barre, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $890โ€“$1,010/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.

$6,687
Monthly in Wilkes-Barre, PA
$7,567
Monthly in Raleigh, NC
$880
Difference

Home Values

Wilkes-Barre
Raleigh
$179K
Median Value
$512K
โ†‘ +7.2%
YoY Change
โ†“ -0.5%
โ†‘ +67.2%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +38.2%
$179K - $180K
Price Range
$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 185% more expensive than Wilkes-Barre

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†“ $2.5K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$210
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.7%
Rate difference

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Pennsylvania State Tax
Effective: 3.1%
$4.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.7%
$41.6K
Take-Home Pay
$9,032/month
$108.4K

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

Wilkes-Barre, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%
Property Tax:1.4%

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

Wilkes-Barre
Raleigh
52 Moderate
Air Quality
46 Good
47.3%
Good Air Days
61.7%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
96 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ…๐ŸŒ€
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
22 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
22 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
31 days

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

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