In 2025, college towns seem to be winning where affordability is concerned. From a college towns that’s perfect for retirees in Texas , to a charming upstate New York college town , finding the perfect balance of things to do on a budget might come down to college locations. On that note, another college town, this time in North Carolina just might be a good fit for you.
Raleigh has everything you could want in a city. For culture lovers, you can take in performances at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater or music festivals like the Dreamville Music Festival at Dorothea Dix Park. If you’re a foodie, Raleigh is considered a barbeque and comfort food haven. From a plate of fried chicken and waffles at Dame’s Chicken and Waffles, to a plate of chopped barbeque at Clyde Cooper’s – with Cooper’s even offering full meals for under $10. For the outdoorsy types, the town’s moniker as the ‘city in a park’ comes with over 10,000 square feet of greenspace in and around the city making Raleigh perfect for cycling, hiking, boating, and exploration.
It’s also home to North Carolina State University, which comes with over 200 startups and over $1.7 billion in startup capital — of which Jeff Bezos contributed $30 million in 2024. The University brings $6.5 billion into North Carolina’s economy every year, and employs over 9,000 staff and faculty. All of this leads to a town that’s less expensive than the national average, with an equally enviable cost of living.
The Monthly Cost Of Living In Raleigh
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the average monthly consumer expenditures in the U.S. is $6,440. That’s the equivalent of $77,280 per year. That average, however, is for your typical household, which could include a spouse or children. Taking into account the cost of living for a single person in the U.S., the monthly average household expenditure is closer to $4,641 or $55,629 annually . Meanwhile, according to GoBankingRates , the cost of living in North Carolina in 2025 is $75,580, or $6,298 per month. While that’s technically lower than the national average expenditure for a household, it represents a difference of just $142…