Quick Facts About Raleigh
An academic powerhouse and tower of commerce. A center for music, theatre and the visual arts. A city that’s sure of itself and quick on its heels, a hard-working and fun-loving center of culture. A city that’s hard to pin down but easy to love. This is Raleigh, North Carolina.
Founded shortly after the American Revolution, this hilly capital in the Carolina Piedmont is known more for its deciduous giants than the surrounding piney woodlands. Raleigh became known as the City of Oaks in its earliest days, and the tree-lined streets, inviting greenspaces and forests are one of the city’s most enduring charms.
Since its early days, Raleigh has grown from a Confederate railroad town into a diverse, cosmopolitan capital. The home of North Carolina State University, Raleigh is a part of that academic trifecta that has made this central NC region known as the Research Triangle. The big sister to Duke University in Durham and UNC in Chapel, Raleigh is the largest city in the area, and people are moving here at an astonishing rate. This Wake County city of 476,587 has grown by nearly 10,000 since 2020 and over 70,000 since 2010, and the City of Oaks shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
And who can blame these newcomers? With a reasonable cost of living, an amazing job market and cultural treasures from the North Carolina Museum of Art to the Carolina Ballet, it’s not hard to see why people want to live in Raleigh.
If you’re interested in living in Raleigh, learn more about the city below, including the best way to move cross-country to the City of Oaks. And be sure to check out our Moving Guide to North Carolina to learn more about life in the Tar Heel State.
Raleigh’s Cost of Living and Housing
Cost of Living
While household expenses in the Southeast generally fall behind those elsewhere in the nation, Raleigh’s cost of living leans a bit higher, if only because of the cost of housing. The median home value in the City of Oaks averaged $347,000 between 2018 and 2022 — more than $65,000 above the national average. Rental rates are also higher, averaging $1,371, more than $100/month above the U.S. median. Compared to other major cities in the state, Raleigh falls somewhere in the middle, expenses-wise.
Real estate is more expensive in Raleigh than in nearby Durham or in the state’s unequivocal financial hub, Charlotte. But rent is lower in the City of Oaks than both Charlotte and Chapel Hill. Across all four cities, the rate of home ownership is nearly 15 points below the national average, and only about half of Raleigh residents own their own home.
With a median household income of $78,631, income levels are slightly higher in Raleigh than they are in the U.S., Durham or Charlotte, which all average around $75,000 per household. But Chapel Hill shows them all up with its $85,940 average. Poverty rates in Chapel Hill are also much higher, though, perhaps owing to its high-priced real estate.
Popular Neighborhoods
Raleigh has an excellent mix of in-town living and suburban life, and the city has a higher population density than either Charlotte or the other cities in the Triangle.
Downtown Raleigh may be the commercial center of town, but it isn’t all business, though. Downtown makes up more than a dozen distinct districts, from trendy residential areas like Hunter Park to the Capital District, where the historic governor’s mansion is located, along with the North Carolina State Capitol. Shaw University — the nation’s very first historically Black college — is in the heart of downtown, near the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, the massive Raleigh Convention Center and the Red Hat Amphitheatre. Rest assured, there are enough sights, museums and restaurants downtown to keep your schedule filled for several months. One of the best everyday destinations is John Chavis Memorial Park, where the historic, 1923 carousel pumps out cheery organ tunes from the Wurlitzer 146A and the super-cool playground keeps tots, teenagers and adults active with its skywalk, twisty slides and public exercise equipment. Housing downtown ranges from swanky city apartments to nifty new townhouses and nearly everything in between.
Life in West Raleigh largely revolves around North Carolina State University, which has a gorgeous urban campus with lots of relaxing green spaces. There are also two major art destinations in West Raleigh: the North Carolina Museum of Art and the Gregg Museum of Art & Design, part of NC State. Families in the area adore Pullen Park, which has assorted rides and diversions, including kiddie boats, a theater and an arts center, where you can learn to throw pots on a wheel, make your own jewelry or craft hand-bound books. NHL fans will want to attend all the Carolina Hurricanes’ games at the PNC Arena, which also hosts blowout concerts each year. Antiques Roadshow hopefuls can head out on their hunt for hidden treasure at the Raleigh Market, where you might find an amazing vintage quilt, a bushel of billiard balls or that perfect ugly/cute Gone Fishin’ mug that only Uncle Bob could love. West Raleigh is a family-friendly area with lots of single-family homes, from traditional, four-bedroom ranches to sprawling new construction and modest townhomes, too.
Nearby Midtown is shopping central, with walkable spots like the Village District and the popular Crabtree Valley Mall complementing the serene, residential swaths of the area. This near-town neighborhood hugs the 440 beltway, maximizing convenience and access to everything near and far. Most housing in this area is on the spendy side, and it’s easily dominated by single-family residences, many of which are on decent acreage. There are also higher-end townhomes and a great deal of new construction, too, so if you’re looking for that zippy new kitchen with a Wolf range and a hex tile backsplash, Midtown may be the place for you.
East Raleigh is an expansive area that stretches from the edge of downtown past 440. The home of St. Augustine’s University, an HBCU founded in 1867, East Raleigh is also a prominent African American neighborhood, where you’ll find beautiful historic homes in many vernacular styles. But construction in this area is moving at a quickening pace, so you’ll also find lots of new options, if you have your heart set on not fixing up a fixer upper. One of the most popular attractions in the district is Historic Oak View County Park, where you can learn about the history of this antebellum plantation that was run by the Williams family, who were something of a contradiction — both slaveholders and Unionists. You can explore the main house as well as several auxiliary structures, including the cotton gin house.
Those in search of a suburban enclave will find their fit in North Raleigh. There are small but affordable townhomes, both old and new, and there are more expensive retreats on larger lots. You’ll find renovated, 1970s split-levels; well-maintained brick homes from the 1990s, when great rooms still seemed really great; charming clapboards with lovely gardens; and new mega-mansions, with indoor and outdoor kitchens, ready for an all-neighborhood Super Bowl party or to host a family wedding. North Raleigh puts you in easy reach of the Durant Nature Preserve and loads of family-centric entertainment. Take your crew to DEFY for some aerial-trampoline-battle beam-ninja action and say hello to a great night’s sleep. This place will put everyone in a fantastic mood and completely tucker them out.
South Raleigh is a fast-growing area with a gorgeous botanical garden and a fabulous wildlife park at the Historic Yates Mill. The big wheel here has kept on turning long after all the other water-powered gristmills in the state were retired, and you can watch them grind corn the old-fashioned way before setting out on a stroll through the gardens or an easy hike through the woodland trails. South Raleigh is also a golfer’s paradise, with three courses, including Tom Kite’s Eagle Ridge. Housing here is far more budget-friendly than in Raleigh’s northern burbs. Expect lovingly cared for homes that may be a little dated but still have some high-value attributes, like real wood floors and old-growth trees.
Raleigh’s Job Market
Raleigh is a great place to relocate for job hunters, particularly those in professional and business services; trade, transportation and utilities; and education and health services, the top three non-farm, non-governmental industries. As a capital city, it’s no surprise that more than 102,000 individuals are employed by the government in Raleigh, and that number has grown by 4.1% over the past year. Of the more than 730,000 workers in the Raleigh area, more than 10% work in leisure and hospitality, reflecting the diverse tourism industry in the region, known for its college sports, historic sites, visual and performing arts and the natural terrain that beckons bikers, golfers and outdoorsy types from miles around.
The three largest academic institutions in the area — Duke University in Durham, UNC in Chapel Hill and NC State in Raleigh — comprise one of the most notable academic trifectas in the country: the Research Triangle. These three powerhouses along with several notable smaller schools — including some of the oldest historically Black colleges in the nation — have made the Piedmont region of North Carolina a standout for research, innovation and public-private partnerships. Raleigh’s culture and economy reflect the dynamic ideas fostered by this collegiate base, and the city has a youthfulness and an optimism that supplements its complex history.
More than 375 companies operate in the Research Triangle Park alone — a 7,000-acre corporate campus where 60,000 residents work. Highly diverse enterprises are found here, from biotech and life sciences giants like BASF to IT megaliths like Cisco and IBM to non-profits like the National Humanities Center. Every year, it seems, bigger companies are bringing their business to the RTP. Jaguar Gene Therapy, a Chicago-based business, is opening a $125-million facility that’s expected to create 200 high-paying jobs, with wages averaging near the $100K mark.
Want to know what your wages might be in this new city? Check out the mean wages in Raleigh.
Commute and Transportation in Raleigh
Though it’s odd for an old railroad town that used to be known for its streetcars to not have a light rail, Raleigh compensates for this seeming deficiency with Bus Rapid Transit to move residents around the city more efficiently and pleasantly. With larger vehicles, dedicated bus lanes, priority traffic signals and more accessible stations, Raleigh residents have gotten behind the GoRaleigh BRT system, even if it hasn’t gotten them from behind their own wheels, entirely. Currently, riding GoRaleigh will cost you nothing, thanks to some emergency pandemic relief funding, but typically, one ride will cost you only $1.25, and a 31-day pass is $40.00. The GoRaleigh system also connects to the GoTriangle, GoDurham and GoCary systems.
Avid cyclists and the bike-curious will be cheered to know that Raleigh does have a great way to get around the city on two wheels. The Cardinal Bikeshare costs less than $100/year for unlimited 60-minute rides, and there are dozens of docking stations throughout the city.
If you are getting around Raleigh in a vehicle, I-40 is the main drag, which connects to the 440 inner belt, the 540 outer belt, and Highway 401, which runs north-south through the center of town. If you need to head up the East Coast, I-87 is the best way to connect to northbound I-95.
When you really want to get away, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport serves 13 carriers who travel non-stop to dozens of destinations in the U.S., Europe, Mexico and Central America.
Things to Do in Raleigh for Newcomers
If you are looking for a sleepy Southern city, Raleigh is not going to be the place for you. This lively college town has dynamic music, art and restaurant scene, tons of fun outdoor activities and annual events, and plenty of historic sites and museums to explore. Whether you’re a sports fanatic or an unapologetic shop-a-holic looking for some retail therapy in North Hills or the Village District, Raleigh just doesn’t disappoint.
Start your journey in the past at the North Carolina Museum of History before you visit Raleigh’s many historic landmarks. The Mordecai House and Historic Park is the oldest residence on its original foundation in the city and has stood here since the 18th century. You should also visit the Pope House — the sole African American house museum in the state. This landmark residence was built by Manassa Thomas Pope, a prominent Black doctor born in 1858 who fought in the Spanish-American War and even ran for mayor of Raleigh.
In Raleigh, sports are like a second religion, so be prepared to join the NC State Wolfpack and spend a lot of time at the Carter-Finley Stadium and PNC Arena, where the NHL’s Carolina Hurricane’s also play to screaming crowds. Go ‘Canes! Motocross fans can get their thrills at Capital City BMX, and soccer fiends can watch the USL’s North Carolina Football Club and the NWSL’s North Carolina Courage tough it out on the turf at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Looking for outdoor adventure? You’ve come to the right city. In addition to dozens of great public parks, the hilly countryside awaits. Those looking for a long haul will want to hike the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The MST will take you from the Blue Ridge to the Outer Banks, but most people hike it Johnny Cash style — one piece at a time. You can pick up the 1175-mile-long trail at many points across the state, and Segment 11 encompasses the Raleigh-Durham area along the beautiful Neuse River.
Just 10 miles outside of town, William B. Umstead State Park is a favorite destination for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and boating. Plan a weekend paddling and camping expedition or rent a rustic cabin, if you like a little more substance between you and Mother Nature at night.
There’s plenty of action indoors, as well, in Raleigh. Art lovers have several museums to explore, from CAM Raleigh in the Warehouse District to the Gregg Museum of Art & Design at NC State. The North Carolina Museum of Art is the premier arts destination in town, and when the weather is fine, there’s no nicer place to be than strolling the grounds of Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park, where you’ll bump into old friends like Yinka Shonibare, Henry Moore, Barbara Kruger, Ellsworth Kelly and your bestie, Rodin.
Kiddos will adore the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, where right now, they can see an exhibit of dueling dinos. Spoiler alert: no one survives the asteroid round. Anyone who’s caught the bug will want to visit the arachnids, millipedes and crustaceans in the Arthropod Zoo, and those who do not appreciate the creepy and crawly will want to bypass the live snake feeding for the butterflies or the gemstones. At the Marbles Kids Museum, the fun is even more hands-on. Kids can build a beaver dam, use the wind to power the city and make waves on a three-story-tall pirate ship.
When it’s time to eat, Raleigh has a table to suit every taste. For home-cooked fare, there’s the coffee-brined pork loin at Poole’s Diner, the unbelievable fried chicken and cider-braised collards at Beasley’s, and then there’s the whole-hog barbeque at Longleaf Swine and The Pit.
Death & Taxes will treat you to some delicious, woodfired certainties, like roasted Carolina oysters, tortelloni with braised rabbit and a heavenly apple crostata that tastes more like an edible cocktail, with its whiskey-infused cream cheese ice cream, smoky caramel and pecans.
And, if you can’t decide what you want, try the Transfer Co. Food Hall downtown, where you’ll find handcrafted Italian fare, bagels, empanadas, Indian curries, Baja-style fish tacos and giant ice cream sandwiches at Captain Cookie & the Milkman for dessert.
Raleigh’s craft beer scene has been (ahem) brewing for years, but the 71 suds at Wye Hill Brewing, co-founded by Raleigh native Sara Abernathy, have really set a new, frothy bar for excellence. The Canyons of Static Thiolized DDH double IPA is a hopped-up, fruity gorge of flavor, while the Wheel — their Carolina common ale — is good for rolling all day long, even at breakfast.
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If you’re making a local move to the City of Oaks, our interstate Raleigh-Durham area movers can help you move independently under their businesses and brands.
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