Raleigh NC vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Raleigh
470,763
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Washington
13.3%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.9 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 13.3% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 39.1% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 4.1% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 11.6% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 14.5% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $580,173 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 41.1% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Washington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Washington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 24.0% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 32.8 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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