Raleigh NC vs Seattle WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Raleigh
470,763
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.5 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 53.8% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 27.5% | 6.6% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 8.2% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $871,599 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 44.3% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.0% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.8 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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