Boston vs. Raleigh: Salary & Cost of Living
Raleigh’s Research Triangle has drawn professionals from the Northeast with far lower costs. Here is what a $170,000 Boston salary is worth in Raleigh once housing, goods, and state taxes are accounted for.
Equivalent salary
A $170,000 salary in Boston is worth about $101,853 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of living.
| Category | Boston | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 220 | 92 | -58% |
| Utilities | 144 | 97 | -33% |
| Transportation | 154 | 97 | -37% |
| Groceries | 135 | 98 | -27% |
| Healthcare | 128 | 98 | -23% |
| Childcare | 169 | 96 | -43% |
| Dining Out | 157 | 96 | -39% |
| Entertainment | 150 | 97 | -35% |
| Insurance | 138 | 98 | -29% |
| Consumer Goods | 132 | 98 | -26% |
State income tax: Boston 5% vs. Raleigh 4.5%.
Median rent (2BR): $3,850 in Boston vs. $1,610 in Raleigh. Median home price: $924,000 vs. $386,000.
Raleigh is about 40% cheaper than Boston. Keeping your current salary there delivers a real purchasing-power gain of roughly $68,147 a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Raleigh cheaper than Boston?
- Yes, substantially — mostly because of housing. Raleigh’s cost of living is far below Boston’s, and North Carolina’s flat income tax is lower than Massachusetts’ rate.
- What salary do I need in Raleigh to match Boston?
- You can preserve your Boston standard of living on a much lower salary in Raleigh. Model your exact equivalent number with the calculator above.
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