Raleigh, NC vs Davis, CA

The cost of living difference between Raleigh, NC and Davis, CA is dramatic. Raleigh is 34.6% cheaper than Davis, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 while Davis sits at 168, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month compared to $2,043/month in Davis — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Raleigh is more affordable at $377,800 median vs $829,000.

Median household income in Raleigh is $82,424 compared to $87,421 in Davis (-5.7%). Davis does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Raleigh spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 28% in Davis.