Is $55K a good salary in Raleigh?
Short answer: in Raleigh, you need about $44K to cover the basics, $55K to live comfortably with savings, and $71K+ to thrive. Estimated single-person costs run about $2,800/month.
Check your own number
Comfortable — solid savings room
In Raleigh, $55,000 is worth about $55,000 at US-average prices.
Estimates only. Take-home uses a simplified US single-filer effective rate (federal + FICA); your state, filing status, and deductions will change it. Expenses reflect a single professional.
See what specific roles pay in Raleigh
Know what you actually earn here? Add your salary anonymously to help others judge what's good in Raleigh.
Common questions
What is a good salary in Raleigh in 2026?
In Raleigh, roughly $44K/year covers a single professional's basic costs, $55K is comfortable with real savings room, and $71K+ lets you thrive. Estimated single-person expenses run about $2,800/month.
How much take-home pay is that?
A $55K gross salary is roughly $45,100/year after a simplified US federal + FICA estimate — before state taxes and deductions, which vary.
Is Raleigh expensive compared to the US average?
Raleigh runs about 0% above the US-average cost of living (cost index 60/100 vs San Francisco). A salary there is worth roughly its value divided by 1.00 at national prices.
Cost-of-living estimate for Raleigh; tax figures are simplified planning estimates, not financial advice.