Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Raleigh?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Raleigh, you need to earn at least $66,080/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $78,631, which means the typical resident is $12,551 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 465,517

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,156	$3,853	$46,240	$-32,391
1 Bedroom	$1,371	$4,570	$54,840	$-23,791
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,652	$5,507	$66,080	$-12,551
3 Bedroom	$2,015	$6,717	$80,600	+$1,969
4 Bedroom	$2,478	$8,260	$99,120	+$20,489

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Raleigh's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$78,631

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$66,080

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$12,551

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 25.2%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Raleigh

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Raleigh's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,966

Studio

$1,156/mo

1 BR

$1,371/mo

2 BR

$1,652/mo

3 BR

$2,015/mo

4 BR

$2,478/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Raleigh.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Raleigh's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Raleigh

Renting in Raleigh, North Carolina is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $66,080/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $78,631, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,371/month) or studio ($1,156/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Raleigh pushes the required income to $80,600.

For comfortable living in Raleigh without financial stress, target a household income of at least $99,120 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for North Carolina's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Raleigh, North Carolina.

With a total population of 465,517, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 255,519 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $66,080 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

255,519

Active civilian employees in Raleigh

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Raleigh

What salary do I need to live in Raleigh, North Carolina?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Raleigh under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $66,080. The median household income in Raleigh is $78,631.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Raleigh on $78,631?

The affordability verdict for Raleigh is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 25.2%, meaning median earners have a $12,551 surplus.

What is the average rent in Raleigh compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Raleigh is $1,371/month. With a median household income of $78,631, residents spend approximately 25.2% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Raleigh?

A studio in Raleigh rents for approximately $1,156/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $46,240 to afford this.

Is Raleigh considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $12,551 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Raleigh is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $66,080 to the local median household income.

How Raleigh Compares

Other cities in North Carolina with salary requirements