$100k a year, no longer in Atlanta
changea dispatch from
raleigh
NC
35.78°N
78.64°W
Raleigh is the third leg of the Research Triangle, full of oaks (its nickname is the City of Oaks), state museums that are all free, and a downtown that's grown up fast without losing its quiet edges. NC State pumps young energy in, the food scene is sneaky-good, and the surrounding pine forests make summer evenings smell incredible. Beaches are two hours east, mountains three hours west.
in our guides
the verdict
less monthly outlay than Atlanta
Raleigh is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
a quick ledger.
$1,663/mo
8% cheaper than Atlanta(vs $1,814/mo)
4.5%
$82/mo less in state tax than Atlanta
vs 5.49% in Atlanta
$6,295/mo
$233 more than Atlanta
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$440k
14% more expensive than Atlanta
vs $386k in Atlanta
1.5M
vs 6.3M in Atlanta
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in raleigh.
Atlanta actually gets more: 204 pleasant days a year.
But the calendar thins out: Atlanta stays 5.1× busier.
58/100
13% lower than Atlanta
vs 67/100 in Atlanta
Closest outdoor draw: William B. Umstead State Park, 9.9 mi.
97/100
4% higher than Atlanta
vs 93/100 in Atlanta
39
82% fewer than Atlanta
vs 217 nonstops in Atlanta
same energy as raleigh, different zip code:
