Cost of Living: Raleigh, NC vs Arlington, VA (2026)

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Raleigh is 46% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,468/mo ↓ 35%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 55%
$82,424/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 70%
$377,800 ↓ 56%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 129%
$1,487/mo ↓ 38%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 62%
470,763
Population
235,463

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
5.75%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $807/month cheaper in Raleigh, saving renters about $9,684/year.

Median household income is $57,736/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Raleigh slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Arlington — common questions

Is Raleigh or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Raleigh is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Arlington?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $807/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Arlington?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $57,736/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Virginia?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Raleigh or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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