same $100k income, fresh start from Salem
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
lighter monthly cost than Salem
Not a fortune, but real money. Raleigh runs cheaper than Salem month over month.
a quick ledger.
$1,663/mo
1% more expensive than Salem(vs $1,642/mo)
4.5%
$354/mo less in state tax than Salem
vs 8.75% in Salem
$6,295/mo
$333 more than Salem
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$440k
3% cheaper than Salem
vs $452k in Salem
1.5M
vs 437k in Salem
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in raleigh.
Salem only manages 201 of those.
A real upgrade on things to do: 47.0× Salem's pace.
58/100
16% lower than Salem
vs 69/100 in Salem
Closest outdoor draw: William B. Umstead State Park, 9.9 mi.
97/100
10% higher than Salem
vs 88/100 in Salem
39
0% fewer than Salem
vs 0 nonstops in Salem
neighbors of raleigh on the map of tradeoffs:
