Raleigh NC vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Yonkers
209,529
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 209,529 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 39.0 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 53.8% | 38.0% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 17.3% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Yonkers
$81,816
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Yonkers
$42,770
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Yonkers
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $81,816 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $42,770 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.4% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 14.7% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 35.2% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $685,544 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 47.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Yonkers
11.9%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.4% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.9% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 37.5 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 Yonkers. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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