Champaign vs Raleigh
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Raleigh
The Verdict
Champaign is 20.6% less expensive than Raleigh overall. A household earning $75,000 in Champaign would need approximately $94,444 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $94,444 in Raleigh.
Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $59,559 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Raleigh
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $370,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $475/month in Raleigh. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 94 in Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $376 in Raleigh. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 108 in Raleigh. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $65,947 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,570/month in Raleigh. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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