Salary Needed to Live in Raleigh as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $77,638/year to live comfortably in Raleigh, NC, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $77,638/year to live comfortably in Raleigh, NC. The bare-minimum salary is $65,216/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,738.
The minimum scenario leaves about $4,076/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $6,470/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$77,638
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$65,216
$5,435/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$4,076
9% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Raleigh
| Expense | Raleigh | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $1,336 | $1,641 | -19% |
| Groceries | $405 | $320 | +27% |
| Utilities | $218 | $225 | -3% |
| Transportation | $375 | $421 | -11% |
| Car Insurance | $156 | $223 | -30% |
| Health Insurance | $621 | $672 | -8% |
| Internet | $65 | $65 | 0% |
| Phone (x2) | $140 | $140 | 0% |
| Dining & Social | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Entertainment | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Total Monthly | $4,076 | $4,467 | -9% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$4,076
Target savings (12%):$662/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,738
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$77,638
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,336
1-2BR Apartment rent is 33% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus NC state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$662/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
100/100
Raleigh is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $1,336/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $965/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $65,216/year as the survival floor and $77,638/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Raleigh
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Raleigh?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $77,638/year ($6,470/month gross) to live comfortably in Raleigh with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Raleigh?
A 1-2br apartment in Raleigh costs approximately $1,336/month, which is the largest single expense at 33% of the total budget.
Is Raleigh affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Raleigh is 9% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).