Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale vs Raleigh-Cary

Cost of Living Comparison

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,953
Rent (2BR) -$31,212
Net Income $28,835

To match your lifestyle in Raleigh-Cary, you'd need:

$42,847

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale 173.0
Raleigh-Cary 104.0
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale $16,669
Raleigh-Cary $37,677

Raleigh-Cary

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,817
Rent (2BR) -$21,000
Net Income $39,183

To match your lifestyle in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, you'd need:

$123,058

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $10,348 more per year in Raleigh-Cary compared to Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale. You'd pay $136 less in taxes in Raleigh-Cary, while housing costs 33% less. The cost of living in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale is 73% above avg, while Raleigh-Cary is 4% above avg, making Raleigh-Cary the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale feels like earning $42,847 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 ($21,053 vs $15,088 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
Raleigh-Cary
Schools
2,529
275
Enrollment
1,973,265
220,430
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
2.9%
8.6%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
Raleigh-Cary
Institutions
257
19
In-State Tuition
$21,053
$15,088
Out-of-State
$24,543
$18,511
Grad Rate
65.1%
53.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale or Raleigh-Cary more expensive?

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale is more expensive with a cost of living index of 173.0 vs 104.0 (national average = 100).

What salary in Raleigh-Cary equals $70,000 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale?

You would need to earn approximately $42,847 in Raleigh-Cary to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale vs Raleigh-Cary?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $31,212 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale and $21,000 in Raleigh-Cary—housing is 33% less in Raleigh-Cary.