Salary in Raleigh 2026: Take-Home, Budget, Cost of Living
Take-home at multiple salary levels, 50/30/20 budget, MIT living wage, neighbourhood rents, and top employers. North Carolina state tax verified April 2026.
72
COL Index (NYC=100)
$1,450/mo
Median 1BR Rent
$3,600
State Tax ($80K)
$42,000/yr
MIT Living Wage (single)
Your Take-Home in Raleigh
$
$80,000/yr in Raleigh
$5,109/mo
take-home after all taxes
Federal + FICA$15,092
North Carolina State Tax$3,600
Annual Take-Home$61,308
Is $X a Good Salary in Raleigh?
| Annual | Take-Home/mo | Rent/Take-Home | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,341 | 43% | Workable |
| $75,000 | $4,835 | 30% | Excellent |
| $100,000 | $6,207 | 23% | Excellent |
| $150,000 | $8,899 | 16% | Excellent |
Rent as % of monthly take-home. Under 33%: excellent. Under 40%: solid. Under 50%: workable. Over 50%: tight.
MIT Living Wage, Raleigh (North Carolina)
$42,000/yr
Single adult
$112,000/yr
Family of 4
Source: MIT Living Wage Calculator 2025.
Cost of Living in Raleigh, NC (Numbeo Q1 2026)
72 / 100
COL Index
vs NYC baseline
67 / 100
Rent Index
residential rents
78 / 100
Groceries Index
vs NYC
$68/mo
Transit Cost
monthly pass or equivalent
Neighbourhoods and Rent Ranges in Raleigh
Downtown ($1,500-3,200), North Hills ($1,400-2,800), Cary ($1,400-2,700), Morrisville ($1,300-2,500), Holly Springs ($1,200-2,300)
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index, April 2026. Ranges reflect studio to 2-bedroom.
Top Employers in Raleigh
IBM, Cisco, State of North Carolina, WakeMed Health, Lenovo
Source: BLS QCEW 2024, company public disclosures.
Raleigh vs Nearby Cities on $80,000/yr
Washington DC
District of Columbia
$4,976/mo
State tax: $5,200/yr
COL index: 90
Full Washington DC breakdownNorth Carolina state income tax: see full rate breakdown at incometaxbystate.comCost of living by stateAll 25 metros
Raleigh Salary FAQ
What is a good salary in Raleigh in 2026?+
A 'good' salary in Raleigh is one where rent consumes less than 30% of gross monthly income or 33% of take-home. On $80,000 per year in Raleigh, take-home is determined by federal tax, FICA, and North Carolina state tax. Use the calculator above to see exact figures. The MIT Living Wage Calculator (2025) estimates a single adult in Raleigh needs roughly the living wage figure shown above for a basic comfortable life without savings margin.
How much is rent in Raleigh?+
The Zillow Observed Rent Index for Raleigh (April 2026) shows a median 1-bedroom rent in the range listed in the city data above. Rent varies significantly by neighbourhood. Check the neighbourhood notes section for sub-city rent variation.
What is the take-home on $80,000 in Raleigh?+
On $80,000 per year, a single filer in Raleigh pays federal income tax plus FICA. North Carolina state income tax applies at the rate shown in the calculator above. Use the calculator to see exact take-home for your filing status.
Does Raleigh have a city income tax?+
Raleigh does not charge a separate city income tax in 2026. State income tax is the only sub-federal income tax applicable.
How does Raleigh compare to the national average?+
The cost of living index for Raleigh (Numbeo Q1 2026, NYC=100) is shown in the stats above. A higher index means higher costs than NYC; lower means cheaper. For a direct side-by-side comparison with any other city, use the compare tool linked below.