Gainesville FL vs Raleigh NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gainesville
143,611
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.7 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 59.2% | 53.8% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 4.7% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 12.7% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $435,807 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.1% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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