Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 26% more expensive than Raleigh. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,827/mo in Raleigh.

Rent in Fairfax vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Fairfax is $479 (31%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Fairfax is $464 (29%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Fairfax is $551 (31%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Fairfax is $701 (32%) higher than Raleigh

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Fairfax is $48,350 (48%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Fairfax is $16,860 (31%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Fairfax is $17,022 (32%) higher than Raleigh

Home values in Fairfax vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Fairfax is $276,900 (65%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Fairfax is $4,049 (134%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in Fairfax vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Fairfax is $6 (4%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Fairfax is $9 (23%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Fairfax is $180 (8%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Raleigh are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Raleigh are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Raleigh is 0.8% (11%) higher than Fairfax

Taxes in Fairfax vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Fairfax is 1.3% (28%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Fairfax is 0.5% (12%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Raleigh is 1.3% (22%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Fairfax is 4.2 min (17%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Raleigh is 6.5% (11%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Fairfax is 4.6% (657%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Fairfax is $981 (26%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Fairfax is $1,944 (35%) higher than Raleigh

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Fairfax is $2,124 (26%) higher than Raleigh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Raleigh.

Is Fairfax or Raleigh more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 26%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Fairfax is approximately $464 (29%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Raleigh?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Fairfax and Raleigh

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Fairfax profile Raleigh profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.