Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Raleigh-Cary
Cost of Living Comparison
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
To match your lifestyle in Raleigh-Cary, you'd need:
$62,079
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
Raleigh-Cary
To match your lifestyle in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, you'd need:
$79,068
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $1,352 more per year in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos compared to Raleigh-Cary. You'd pay $2,576 more in taxes in Raleigh-Cary, while housing costs 6% less. The cost of living in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is 26% above avg, while Raleigh-Cary is 4% above avg, making Raleigh-Cary the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos feels like earning $62,079 in Raleigh-Cary once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Raleigh-Cary has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Raleigh-Cary ($22,621 vs $15,088 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos or Raleigh-Cary more expensive?
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is more expensive with a cost of living index of 126.4 vs 104.0 (national average = 100).
What salary in Raleigh-Cary equals $70,000 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos?
You would need to earn approximately $62,079 in Raleigh-Cary to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Raleigh-Cary?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,224 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos and $21,000 in Raleigh-Cary—housing is 6% less in Raleigh-Cary.