Miami vs Raleigh

Cost of living and salary reality, side by side. At $60-80k, $70,000 in Miami feels like approximately $59,012 in Raleigh.

Data: 2026-Q2 · BLS · HUD · KFF

Your $60-80k in Miami feels like $59,012 in Raleigh. Moving would decrease your purchasing power by 16%.

Income
Housing

Miami

Raleigh

Breathing Room
 
Housing Pressure
high
 
low
1BR Rent
$1,995/mo
 
$1,596/mo
State Tax
No income tax
 
NC tax applies
Take-Home /mo
$4,803
 
$4,555
Remote Work Fit
Miami attracts remote workers maintaining higher-market salaries with Florida's no-income-tax advantage. The wage-to-housing gap makes it less suitable for those earning local Miami wage scales.
 
Raleigh is a top-ranked remote work destination combining research-economy wages, university-town culture, and housing costs well below major coastal tech markets.
Walk Score
77
 
31
Getting By
$60-80k · Miami vs Raleigh
Income Reality Check

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Curious what a raise — or a different path — would change?

THEN — $60-80k
NOW — $60-80k
~$4,803/mo take-home

At $60-80k in Miami, your picture shifts from getting-by toward getting-by.

No city is objectively better. Miami and Raleigh each fit different priorities — the right one depends on what you're building toward.

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FAQ

Miami vs Raleigh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Miami or Raleigh?

HUD FY2026 1BR Fair Market Rent is $1,995/mo in Miami and $1,596/mo in Raleigh. Raleigh has lower median housing costs. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR.

How much do I need to earn in Raleigh to match Miami?

At a $60-80k income, $70,000 in Miami feels like approximately $59,012 in Raleigh — a reduction of about 16% in purchasing power.

What is the state tax difference between Miami and Raleigh?

Miami is in FL (no state income tax) and Raleigh is in NC (NC levies income tax). Source: Tax Foundation 2025.

Which city has more breathing room?

Breathing room depends on your income and housing situation. Use the interactive comparison above to see how each city's picture changes across income bands.

Income Reality Check is an educational tool, not financial advice. Your situation has more dimensions than any tool can capture.