Raleigh-Cary vs Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
Cost of Living Comparison
Raleigh-Cary
To match your lifestyle in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, you'd need:
$79,588
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
To match your lifestyle in Raleigh-Cary, you'd need:
$61,467
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $148 more per year in Raleigh-Cary compared to Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater. You'd pay $2,576 less in taxes in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, while housing costs 13% more. The cost of living in Raleigh-Cary is 4% above avg, while Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater is 23% above avg, making Raleigh-Cary the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Raleigh-Cary feels like earning $79,588 in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Raleigh-Cary ($15,088 vs $15,250 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raleigh-Cary or Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater more expensive?
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater is more expensive with a cost of living index of 123.5 vs 104.0 (national average = 100).
What salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater equals $70,000 in Raleigh-Cary?
You would need to earn approximately $79,588 in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater 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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $21,000 in Raleigh-Cary and $23,724 in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater—housing is 13% more in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater.