Is West Raleigh Expensive?

Raleigh, United States

-8% vs Raleigh avg

Living in West Raleigh, Raleigh

West Raleigh is a relatively affordable area in Raleigh, with a cost of living index of 53.9 — that is -8% compared to the Raleigh average. At #19 of 30, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $1,334/month, compared to a range of $986 in Zebulon to $1,812 in Chapel Hill.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of West Raleigh, housing takes up roughly 41% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $53,360 before tax.

Typical Salaries in West Raleigh

Salaries in West Raleigh reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 53.9:

After tax and deductions of 23.6% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $53,360 would be roughly $40,767/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

53.9
COLI Index
0.92x
vs City Avg
$1,334
Est. 1BR Rent
#19
of 30 Areas
23.6%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in West Raleigh

Estimated annual deductions on a $40,425 salary in West Raleigh, Raleigh (local employee).

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (NC)
4.5%
Total Deductions: 23.6%
Est. Take-Home: $30,894/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in West Raleigh would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $40,425
London GBP £34,789
Dubai AED AED 202,278

Other Neighborhoods in Raleigh

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Chapel Hill 73.2 1.25x +25%
Glenwood South 71.5 1.22x +22%
Downtown Raleigh 70.3 1.20x +20%
North Hills 69.1 1.18x +18%
ITB (Inside the Beltline) 69.1 1.18x +18%

View all 30 neighborhoods in Raleigh →

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to West Raleigh:

Englewood, Denver Arvada, Denver Momochi, Fukuoka Ropponmatsu, Fukuoka Morley, Perth Innaloo, Perth

Frequently Asked Questions

Is West Raleigh expensive in Raleigh?

West Raleigh is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Raleigh. It costs about -8% less than the city average, ranking #19 out of 30 neighborhoods.

How does West Raleigh compare to the Raleigh average?

The cost of living in West Raleigh is below the Raleigh average. With a multiplier of 0.92x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -8% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.