Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 20% more expensive than Raleigh. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,827/mo in Raleigh.

Rent in Seattle vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Seattle is $705 (46%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Seattle is $701 (44%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Seattle is $908 (52%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Seattle is $1,329 (61%) higher than Raleigh

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Seattle is $20,385 (20%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Seattle is $12,429 (23%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Seattle is $18,113 (34%) higher than Raleigh

Home values in Seattle vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Seattle is $388,400 (92%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Seattle is $3,762 (124%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in Seattle vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Raleigh is $38 (35%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Seattle is $8 (20%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Raleigh is $360 (19%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and Raleigh are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and Raleigh are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Raleigh is 3.0% (58%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Raleigh is 4.5% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Seattle is 1.8% (37%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Seattle is 3.2% (46%) higher than Raleigh

Transportation in Seattle vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Seattle is 2.8 min (11%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Raleigh is 12.6% (24%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Seattle is 7.3% (1043%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Seattle is $761 (20%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Seattle is $898 (16%) higher than Raleigh

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Seattle is $1,353 (17%) higher than Raleigh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Raleigh.

Is Seattle or Raleigh more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 20%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Seattle is approximately $701 (44%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Raleigh?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Seattle and Raleigh

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

Seattle 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.