New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
New York
35.9%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
New York
22.7%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 470,763 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 13.6% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 22.7% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 4.7% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 12.7% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | New York, NY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $49,948 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | New York, NY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | New York, NY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | New York, NY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 30.9% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.6% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | New York, NY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 61.1°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | New York, NY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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