Raleigh NC vs Southaven MS — 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%
Southaven, MS
Mississippi · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$276,140
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Raleigh
470,763
Southaven
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Southaven
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Southaven
N/A
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Southaven
N/A
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Southaven
N/A
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Southaven
N/A
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Southaven
N/A
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Southaven
N/A
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 27.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Southaven
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Southaven
N/A
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Southaven
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $46,995 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Southaven
$276,140
Southaven +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $276,140 | Southaven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Southaven
247
Southaven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Southaven
1808
Southaven +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 247 | Southaven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1808 | Southaven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Southaven
37.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Southaven
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Southaven
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Southaven
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Southaven
14.9%
Southaven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Southaven
14.2%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 37.2% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.7% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.0% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Southaven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.2% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Southaven
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Southaven
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
Southaven
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Southaven
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Southaven, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Southaven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $276,140. On public safety, Southaven is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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