Salary Needed to Live in Raleigh as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $59,612/year to live comfortably in Raleigh, NC, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $59,612/year to live comfortably in Raleigh, NC. The bare-minimum salary is $51,664/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,643.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,229/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,968/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$59,612
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$51,664
$4,305/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,229
10% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Raleigh
| Expense | Raleigh | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,100 | $1,351 | -19% |
| Groceries | $262 | $207 | +27% |
| Utilities | $164 | $169 | -3% |
| Transportation | $281 | $316 | -11% |
| Car Insurance | $156 | $223 | -30% |
| Health Insurance | $621 | $672 | -8% |
| Internet | $65 | $65 | 0% |
| Phone | $85 | $85 | 0% |
| Dining & Social | $300 | $300 | 0% |
| Entertainment | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Personal Care | $75 | $75 | 0% |
| Total Monthly | $3,229 | $3,583 | -10% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,229
Target savings (10%):$414/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,643
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$59,612
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,100
Studio/1BR rent is 34% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus NC state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$414/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 studio/1br housing near $1,100/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $645/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $51,664/year as the survival floor and $59,612/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Raleigh
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Raleigh?
A single person needs approximately $59,612/year ($4,968/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 $1,100/month, which is the largest single expense at 34% of the total budget.
Is Raleigh affordable for a single person?
Yes, Raleigh is 10% more affordable than the national average for a single person.