Raleigh vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh
Vienna
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.9%, with Vienna being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Raleigh has equivalent purchasing power to $64,706 in Vienna.
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 $64,706 in Vienna.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $86,932 in Raleigh.
Living in Raleigh vs Vienna
Housing Costs
Raleigh's housing index of 107 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $370,000 vs $395,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Raleigh compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Raleigh and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Raleigh vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Raleigh and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Raleigh vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Raleigh and 82 in Vienna. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,947 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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