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Raleigh, NC Rent Affordability Calculator

The median rent in the Raleigh, NC area is $1,573 a month including utilities, which takes 19% of the median household income ($100,103). Paying it on 30% of income needs about $62,920 a year.

On $100,000 a year, 30% of income is $2,500 a month for rent. A $1,570 rent takes 18.8% of gross income; many landlords want income of 40 times the rent, $62,800.

Rent you can afford
$2,500 a month
That rent takes
18.8% of income
Income a landlord may ask for (40× rent)
$62,800

Rent you can afford in Raleigh, NC by income (30% rule)

IncomeAffordable rentAgainst the median rent
$40,000$1,000−36.4%
$60,000$1,500−4.6%
$80,000$2,00027.1%
$100,000$2,50058.9%
$150,000$3,750138.4%

How this calculator works

Median gross rent and median household income for the Raleigh-Cary, NC metropolitan area, from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Affordable rent is 30% of gross monthly income.

What it assumes

  • Medians across all rentals, of every size and age; new listings usually ask more.

Questions people ask

What is the average rent in Raleigh, NC?

The median gross rent is $1,573 a month, including utilities (Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

What salary do I need to live in Raleigh, NC?

To rent at the median on 30% of income, about $62,920 a year; many landlords ask for 40 times the rent, $62,920.

Is rent affordable in Raleigh, NC?

The median rent takes 19% of the median household income there, within the 30% guideline.

How does the cost of living in Raleigh, NC compare?

Overall prices are 1.8% below the US average, and housing 3.5% above (BEA, 2024).

Nearby and large metro areas

Related calculators

  • Rent Affordability CalculatorThe rent your income supports under the 30% guideline, what a given rent takes of your pay, and the income landlords often ask for, with median rents in large metro areas.
  • Raleigh, NC Cost of Living CalculatorPrices in the Raleigh, NC area are 1.8% below the US average, and housing 3.5% above (BEA, 2024). Compare a salary here with anywhere else.
  • Rent vs Buy CalculatorWhether buying or renting leaves you better off after the years you plan to stay, counting mortgage interest, tax, upkeep, selling costs and what a renter earns investing the down payment.

Sources

Updated by the RateHerald team. The maths is tested against worked examples; report a problem.