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- Raleigh at-a-glance
- What it’s like to live in Raleigh
- Economy and job outlook in Raleigh
- Real estate, cost of living in Raleigh
- The top neighborhoods in Raleigh
- How to get around in Raleigh
- School and education snapshot
- Weather and climate in Raleigh
- 10 can’t-miss things to do in Raleigh
Raleigh At-A-Glance
North Carolina’s Triangle, made up of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, is considered one of the best places to live in the U.S. due to healthy job growth, a high quality of life, great eats and a strong sense of community. Raleigh, as the state capital, also provides access to highly ranked universities, gorgeous green spaces and is only a couple of hours from the beach. With all of that plus a sprinkle of Southern charm, it’s no wonder everyone is moving to Raleigh!
Read on to find out what else there is to love about the City of Oaks.
Where Small-Town Hospitality Meets Big-City Personality
If you remember the show Cheers, you may be happy to know that Raleigh is one of those places where, if you’re out and about, you’ll find folks who know your name—or at least your face. Expect warm greetings and cheerful conversations to become the norm once you’re living in Raleigh.
On the flip side, Raleigh also brings those big city feels.
The young and young-at-heart individuals will enjoy the nightlife, with booming craft beer and dining scenes, live music and dancing. Those who thrive on arts and culture will appreciate state-of-the-art performance venues, such as the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as renowned galleries and museums.
There’s only one major league sports team in Raleigh, the NHL Carolina Hurricanes, but sports fans will still get to cheer on the North Carolina State University Wolfpack teams, two pro soccer teams and the MiLB Carolina Mudcats. Game on!
Raleigh’s Job Market Ranks No. 5 in the U.S.
That’s right! North Carolina had a record year for job growth in 2022, and its capital city has continued to grow its labor force and diversify its employment opportunities throughout 2023. With all of this growth, the unemployment rate has stayed low at 3.2 percent.
While tech, leisure and hospitality have seen the largest spikes, other key industries include professional and business services; trade, transportation and utilities; and education and health services.
Major employers include the Duke University and Health System, the state of North Carolina and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with some big names in the mix including IBM, Target and Walmart.
Raleigh is Less Affordable for Singles
While Raleigh’s cost of living tends to hover in the middle when it comes to U.S. city rankings, a recent analysis showed that an individual should expect to spend about a third of their income on housing if they’re looking to rent. That puts it in the top five cities ranked, just behind New York, Miami and New Orleans.
Across the entire metropolitan area, Raleigh proper is more cost-effective. The average rent for a studio or one-bedroom apartment fell between $1,500-1,600 in November 2023. The average rent for a two-bedroom jumped up to $1,986.
For those looking to buy in Raleigh rather than rent, the housing market remains somewhat competitive with a median home sale price of $400,000. Hot homes are still quick to leave the market, but there is some sign of the market evening out with fewer homes being sold above list price than in 2022.
There is good news, believe it or not! Taking more than housing into consideration, Raleigh’s cost of living is actually 3 percent lower than the national average, thanks to lower costs for food, goods and transportation.
Need more good news? The median salary in Raleigh is above the U.S. average by a couple thousand, with the 2021 census recording a median household income of $72,996.
Neighborhoods Bring Small Town Suburbia, Luxury and Nightlife
Historic neighborhoods, parks, convenience and a solid nightlife: the choice is yours in Raleigh. There are a variety of neighborhoods to suit young professionals, families and retirees alike. Check out these highly recommended neighborhoods for those moving to Raleigh:
NORTH HILLS
This is probably the neighborhood you’ll find on every list of top neighborhoods for those living in Raleigh. With its mix of urban and suburban lifestyle, luxury shopping and beautiful parks, it has a little something for everyone.
BOYLAN HEIGHTS
One of Raleigh’s historic neighborhoods, Boylan Heights is full of gorgeous architecture, locally-owned businesses and easy access to parks. It also boasts convenient access to downtown.
FOREST PARK (FORMERLY CAMERON PARK)
Another historic neighborhood, Forest Park is a favorite for families due to the many nearby schools and parks. It’s also just a short drive to some of the city’s best restaurants, bars and cafes.
FALLS RIVER
This is a much newer neighborhood made up of several subdivisions, but with easy access to the city’s greener areas. Young families love Falls River for its affordability and the quality education offerings for the little ones.
CENTRAL RALEIGH
Young professionals will appreciate the proximity to some of the area’s biggest employers in Central Raleigh. There’s also a great nightlife and plenty of great dining, making it a great spot for singles, too.
Other neighborhoods to include in your Raleigh home search:
- Oakwood
- Stonehenge
- Bryson Village
- Brier Creek
- Five Points
Rapid Transit Is Coming—for Now, Take the Car
When it comes to driving, Raleigh is an ideal location due to overall safety and lower costs associated with owning and maintaining a car. And it’s a good thing, too, because locals don’t love the transportation system.
Public transportation relies mainly on buses, with GoRaleigh operating routes throughout the city. GoTriangle provides regional and commuter bus services between Raleigh and the surrounding cities. While the bus system is considered a pain point by many residents, the region is working on a Bus Rapid Transit system to make travel along the busiest corridors much easier.
Looking to get out of the Triangle? You can also hop on an Amtrak to Charlotte, Philly, D.C., Miami and more—Raleigh’s train station is one of the busiest in the south!
Raleigh Boasts a High Concentration of Well-Ranked Schools
Raleigh’s 109 public schools rank among the top 30 percent in North Carolina, with math and reading proficiency scores higher than the state averages. In fact, according to recent U.S. News rankings, over half of the schools in the Raleigh-Cary area rank in the nation’s top 25 percent—that’s pretty impressive!
For a higher education, residents have several great choices, including North Carolina State University and Meredith College. For those willing to take a short drive, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is just 40 minutes away and is one of the highest ranked universities in the state.
A Warmer Four-Season City
Raleigh’s mild climate is among one of the top reasons to move there. Although the city can experience scorching heat and humidity in the summer, its shoulder seasons provide comfortable days in the 70s, with winter’s average highs in the 50s.
Of course, Raleigh can experience the effects of a rough Atlantic hurricane season, so take the time to educate yourself on how to best be prepared for a hurricane or tropical storm.
You’ll experience the most heat in July, with average temperatures reaching 90 degrees fahrenheit. January is the coolest month, with average highs still hitting a cozy 51 degrees.
10 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Raleigh
Nestled in North Carolina, Raleigh is known for its forested natural parks. But the city is also full of beer gardens, museums, fun shops and more. Here’s a list of 10 must-dos in the City of Oaks:
- Get the highlights of your new city with a tour on an old-fashioned trolley car.
- Enjoy an unforgettable and intimate musical experience through the Candlelight Concert series.
- Stroll through Raleigh’s City Market, full of boutiques, shops, restaurants and a seasonal farmers market.
- Familiarize yourself with your new home through the North Carolina Museum of History, which features a life-size replica of the “Wright Flyer,” the plane invested by the Wright brothers.
- Try your luck at Frankie’s of Raleigh, a fun mix of classic arcade games and amusement, including mini-golf and go-kart rides.
- Chow down on some great street food at Morgan Food Hall or Transfer Co. Food Hall.
- Step into beauty at the azalea gardens that surround WRAL Television Studios.
- Get free admission to the North Carolina’s Museum of Natural Sciences, full of educational and interactive exhibits.
- Ride on a carousel or hop in a pedal boat at Pullen Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.
- See the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) take to the ice at the PNC Arena.
