Question 1

Is Los Angeles or Raleigh cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Raleigh, NC is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $1,105/month less than in Los Angeles, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,903/mo in Los Angeles versus $1,750/mo in Raleigh.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Los Angeles vs Raleigh?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $105,000/year before tax in Los Angeles, CA and $78,500/year in Raleigh, NC — a difference of about $26,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Los Angeles or Raleigh cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Raleigh, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $12,135/month in Los Angeles and $9,872/month in Raleigh, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Los Angeles or Raleigh?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Raleigh costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Los Angeles49	Raleigh75
Est. monthly cost (single)	$5,329	$4,224
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,135	$9,872
Salary for comfort	$105,000/yr	$78,500/yr
Typical rent	$2,903	$1,750
Median home value	$879,500	$377,800
Median household income	$80,366	$82,424
Unemployment	5.3%	3.1%
Housing score	1	56
Jobs score	20	88
Safety score	47	59
Climate score	100	100
Amenities score	100	62
Population	3.9M	470.8K
Summer high / winter low	83° / 48°	90° / 31°

Los Angeles, CA vs Raleigh, NC