Side-by-side comparison

Philadelphia vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Raleigh is approximately 13% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $3,827/mo in Raleigh versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Philadelphia vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Raleigh is $161 (12%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Raleigh is $80 (5%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Philadelphia is $39 (2%) higher than Raleigh

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Raleigh is $21 (1%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Philadelphia vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Raleigh is $41,065 (68%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Raleigh is $12,234 (29%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Raleigh is $15,280 (41%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Philadelphia vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Raleigh is $190,400 (82%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Raleigh is $1,071 (55%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Philadelphia vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Raleigh is $4 (3%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Philadelphia is $22 (55%) higher than Raleigh

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Philadelphia is $216 (10%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in Philadelphia vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia and Raleigh are about the same

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia and Raleigh are about the same

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Raleigh is 1.0% (14%) higher than Philadelphia

Taxes in Philadelphia vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Raleigh is 1.4% (47%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Philadelphia is 1.3% (26%) higher than Raleigh

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Raleigh is 0.7% (10%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Philadelphia vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Philadelphia is 6.7 min (26%) higher than Raleigh

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Raleigh is 17.7% (38%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Philadelphia is 17.2% (2457%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Philadelphia vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Raleigh is $445 (13%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Raleigh is $966 (21%) higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Raleigh is $1,028 (15%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Philadelphia and Raleigh.

Is Philadelphia or Raleigh more expensive?

Raleigh is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 13%.

What is the rent difference between Philadelphia and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $1,512/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh is approximately $80 (5%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Philadelphia or Raleigh?

Raleigh has the higher average household income. Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Philadelphia and Raleigh

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

Philadelphia 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.