same $100k income, fresh start from Des Moines
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
pricier each month than Des Moines
Raleigh costs more than Des Moines, and you'll feel it. The upside has to come from somewhere other than your budget.
a quick ledger.
$1,663/mo
31% more expensive than Des Moines(vs $1,268/mo)
4.5%
$125/mo less in state tax than Des Moines
vs 6% in Des Moines
$6,295/mo
$270 less than Des Moines
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$440k
47% more expensive than Des Moines
vs $300k in Des Moines
1.5M
vs 737k in Des Moines
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in raleigh.
Des Moines only logs 151 pleasant days.
Things to do run about even with Des Moines.
58/100
5% higher than Des Moines
vs 55/100 in Des Moines
Closest outdoor draw: William B. Umstead State Park, 9.9 mi.
97/100
24% higher than Des Moines
vs 78/100 in Des Moines
39
129% more than Des Moines
vs 17 nonstops in Des Moines
if raleigh appeals, also worth a look:
