City profile
Raleigh, NC
Part of the Research Triangle, offering excellent healthcare, top universities, and a growing cultural scene.
Climate
Climate type
Mild & temperate
Winter avg
42°F
Summer avg
79°F
Sunny days / yr
215
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$400,000
Typical monthly housing
$2,150
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
101
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.78%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.25%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 7.00%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 96/100
Top hazards: Hail, Riverine flooding, Heat wave
Nearest major airport
11 mi to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 62% Democratic / 36% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
481,031
Growth since 2019
+3.6%
Median age
34.7
Residents 65+
12.1%
Median household income
$85,395
Income growth since 2019
+27.0%
Black household income
$57,849
Home ownership
50.7%
Poverty rate
11.9%
Poverty rate, 65+
9.5%
Race & ethnicity: Black 26.0% · White 51.1% · Hispanic 12.6% · Asian 5.2% · Other 5.1%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
395 · 20% above the national average
Property crime
2,305 · 49% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Raleigh Police Department. State average: violent 334, property 1,815.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸NC is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Home prices are softening in 2026 — more room to negotiate
- ▸Part of the New Great Migration — a growing Black community in the South
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hurricanes (coast), inland flooding
Highlights
- Top-rated healthcare system
- Strong education and research community
- Moderate cost of living
- Four mild seasons
Trade-offs
- Suburban sprawl
- Limited public transit
- Prices rising rapidly
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.