Raleigh vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh
Sydney
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 2.9%, with Raleigh being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Raleigh has equivalent purchasing power to $77,206 in Sydney.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Raleigh has the same purchasing power as $77,206 in Sydney.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $72,857 in Raleigh.
Living in Raleigh vs Sydney
Housing Costs
Raleigh's housing index of 107 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $370,000 vs $825,000. The $455,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,580 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Raleigh compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Raleigh and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Raleigh vs $451/month in Sydney. 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 94 in Raleigh and 98 in Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Raleigh vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Raleigh and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $67,266 in Raleigh and $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,947 and $57,143 respectively. Raleigh residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,570/month to housing in Raleigh vs $1,400/month in Sydney. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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