Raleigh vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh
Youngstown
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.4%, with Youngstown being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Raleigh has equivalent purchasing power to $60,294 in Youngstown.
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 $60,294 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $93,293 in Raleigh.
Living in Raleigh vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
Raleigh's housing index of 107 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $370,000 vs $102,000. The $268,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,424 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Raleigh compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $775.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Raleigh and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Raleigh vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Raleigh vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Raleigh and 90 in Youngstown. 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 $67,266 in Raleigh and $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,947 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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