Salary Needed to Live in Raleigh as a Single

A single adult living independently needs approximately $18,554/year to live comfortably in Raleigh, NC — including 10% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$18,554
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$16,080
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,005
8% below national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Raleigh

ExpenseRaleighNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 Studio/1BR Rent$93$113-18%
🛒 Groceries$22$17+29%
⚡ Utilities$14$140%
🚗 Transportation$23$26-12%
🛡️ Car Insurance$156$223-30%
🏥 Health Insurance$52$56-7%
Internet$65$650%
Phone$85$850%
Dining & Social$300$3000%
Entertainment$120$1200%
Personal Care$75$750%
Total Monthly$1,005$1,094-8%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$1,005
Target savings (10%):$129/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,134
Effective tax rate:25%

Gross annual salary needed:$18,554

Other Household Types in Raleigh

Couple (No Kids)
$26,076/yr
$1,369/mo expenses
Family with Kids
$56,660/yr
$2,833/mo expenses
Retiree
$19,354/yr
$1,129/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in RaleighCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a single person need in Raleigh?
A single person needs approximately $18,554/year ($1,546/month gross) to live comfortably in Raleigh with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Raleigh?
A studio/1br in Raleigh costs approximately $93/month, which is the largest single expense at 9% of the total budget.
Is Raleigh affordable for a single person?
Yes, Raleigh is 8% more affordable than the national average for a single person.
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