Raleigh-Cary vs Seattle-Bellevue
Cost of Living Comparison
Raleigh-Cary
To match your lifestyle in Seattle-Bellevue, you'd need:
$101,225
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
Seattle-Bellevue
To match your lifestyle in Raleigh-Cary, you'd need:
$48,997
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $6,436 more per year in Raleigh-Cary compared to Seattle-Bellevue. You'd pay $2,576 less in taxes in Seattle-Bellevue, while housing costs 43% more. The cost of living in Raleigh-Cary is 4% above avg, while Seattle-Bellevue is 52% above avg, making Raleigh-Cary the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Raleigh-Cary feels like earning $101,225 in Seattle-Bellevue once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Seattle-Bellevue has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Raleigh-Cary ($15,088 vs $16,908 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raleigh-Cary or Seattle-Bellevue more expensive?
Seattle-Bellevue is more expensive with a cost of living index of 151.6 vs 104.0 (national average = 100).
What salary in Seattle-Bellevue equals $70,000 in Raleigh-Cary?
You would need to earn approximately $101,225 in Seattle-Bellevue to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Raleigh-Cary, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Raleigh-Cary vs Seattle-Bellevue?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $21,000 in Raleigh-Cary and $30,012 in Seattle-Bellevue—housing is 43% more in Seattle-Bellevue.