Side-by-side comparison

Cambridge vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Cambridge, Massachusetts and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 15% more expensive than Raleigh. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,827/mo in Raleigh.

Rent in Cambridge vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Cambridge is $136 (9%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Cambridge is $153 (10%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Cambridge is $506 (29%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Cambridge is $312 (14%) higher than Raleigh

Income & earnings in Cambridge vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Cambridge is $25,016 (25%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Cambridge is $11,412 (21%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Cambridge is $14,522 (27%) higher than Raleigh

Home values in Cambridge vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Cambridge is $264,400 (63%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Cambridge is $4,217 (139%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in Cambridge vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Cambridge is $25 (17%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Cambridge is $34 (85%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Cambridge is $708 (32%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in Cambridge vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge and Raleigh are about the same

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge and Raleigh are about the same

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Raleigh is 5.8% (242%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Cambridge vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Cambridge is 0.5% (11%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Cambridge is 1.5% (32%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Raleigh is 0.8% (12%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Cambridge vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Cambridge is 4.7 min (19%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Raleigh is 8.4% (15%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Cambridge is 7.3% (1043%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Cambridge vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Cambridge is $564 (15%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Cambridge is $1,256 (23%) higher than Raleigh

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Cambridge is $1,130 (14%) higher than Raleigh

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cambridge and Raleigh.

Is Cambridge or Raleigh more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 15%.

What is the rent difference between Cambridge and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $1,745/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Cambridge is approximately $153 (10%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Cambridge or Raleigh?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Cambridge and Raleigh

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

Cambridge 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.