Geneva VS Raleigh

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Geneva
Switzerland
118.6
COLI Index
#2
Global Rank
CHF
Currency
Raleigh
United States
58.6
COLI Index
#48
Global Rank
USD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
118.6
58.6
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$2,600
$1,450
Total Deductions
42.2%
23.6%
Exchange Rate
1 CHF = 1.2342 USD
Is Geneva cheaper than Raleigh?

Yes, Raleigh is 51% cheaper than Geneva based on our cost of living index. Raleigh has a COLI of 58.6, while Geneva has a COLI of 118.6. 51% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Geneva vs Raleigh

Overall, Raleigh is approximately 51% cheaper than Geneva based on our cost of living index. Geneva has a COLI of 118.6 (ranked #2 of 182 cities), while Raleigh has a COLI of 58.6 (ranked #48).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Geneva averages $2,600/month compared to $1,450/month in Raleigh. That makes Raleigh approximately 44% cheaper for rent alone.

Raleigh has lower total deductions (23.6%) compared to Geneva (42.2%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Raleigh. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Geneva

Income Tax
10%
AHV/IV/EO + ALV
6.4%
Cantonal + Municipal Tax (Genève)
26%
Total: 42.2%Take-Home: CHF 41,639/yr

Raleigh

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (NC)
4.5%
Total: 23.6%Take-Home: $33,568/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn CHF 60,768 in Geneva, you would need approximately $37,057 in Raleigh to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 51% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Geneva (CHF) Raleigh (USD)
Doctor (General) CHF 172,970 $105,480
Software Engineer CHF 81,680 $49,810
Product Manager CHF 96,095 $58,600
Lawyer CHF 96,095 $58,600
Data Scientist CHF 91,290 $55,670
Marketing Manager CHF 69,188 $42,192
Teacher CHF 46,125 $28,128
Nurse CHF 55,735 $33,988

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Geneva (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Cologny1.35x (+35%)
Champel1.25x (+25%)
Eaux-Vives1.20x (+20%)
Florissant1.18x (+18%)
Nations1.15x (+15%)

Raleigh (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Chapel Hill1.25x (+25%)
Glenwood South1.22x (+22%)
Downtown Raleigh1.20x (+20%)
North Hills1.18x (+18%)
ITB (Inside the Beltline)1.18x (+18%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Geneva or Raleigh more expensive?

Geneva is more expensive overall. Geneva has a COLI of 118.6 while Raleigh has a COLI of 58.6, making Raleigh approximately 51% cheaper.

What salary in Raleigh equals CHF 60,768 in Geneva?

To maintain the same standard of living as CHF 60,768 in Geneva, you would need approximately $37,057 in Raleigh.

Is rent cheaper in Geneva or Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Geneva is $2,600/month compared to $1,450/month in Raleigh. Raleigh has lower rent by approximately 44%.

Which city has lower taxes, Geneva or Raleigh?

Raleigh has lower total deductions (23.6%) compared to Geneva (42.2%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Raleigh.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.