City comparison
No. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 147 in Boston, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 175, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Raleigh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,572 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Boston and Raleigh. Boston averages 50°F while Raleigh averages 60°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $2,147 versus $1,572.
Raleigh is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Boston makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Raleigh is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Raleigh at $1,572 average has pockets that run $1,372 and others at $1,972: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Boston and Raleigh are 610 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, down $575 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $85,395 in Raleigh, down $11,949 (12%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 142 in Raleigh, down 5 points (3%).
The move
Raleigh and Boston are 610 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $575 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $97,344 in Boston, up $11,949 (14%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 147 in Boston, up 5 points (4%).
Boston, MA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Raleigh, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Boston and Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Raleigh rent is 27% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
Raleigh
Winner$1,572/mo
Typical rent runs $1,572 a month in Raleigh versus $2,147 in Boston, so Raleigh is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $575/month back in your pocket ($6,900/year). Over five years that's $34,500 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Boston, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Raleigh is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
14% higher
Boston's median income is 14% higher than Raleigh
Boston
Winner$97,344
Raleigh
$85,395
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $85,395 in Raleigh, so typical pay runs 14% higher in Boston (about $11,949 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Boston is the stronger labor market on paper. Raleigh can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
3% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 3% lower than Boston
Boston
147 (100 = avg)
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 147 in Boston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 3% lower in Raleigh. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Raleigh, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Boston. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
48% more comfortable
Raleigh weather is 48% more comfortable than Boston
Boston
50°F avg · 56°F highs · comfort 58/100
Raleigh
Winner60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Boston averages about 50°F (56°F highs); Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs). Boston averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Raleigh averages around 60°F. Raleigh scores 48% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Boston if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 14% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Raleigh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% cheaper here at about $1,572 a month. Choose Raleigh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Raleigh if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (60°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 48%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Raleigh is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 3% lower than Boston (142 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Boston runs $2,147/month while Raleigh sits at $1,572 — roughly 27% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Boston-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Raleigh rent at $1,572/month is still below Boston's $2,147, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $97,344 in Boston versus $85,395 in Raleigh.
Raleigh is the default on housing cost at $1,572/month versus $2,147 in Boston; Boston stays in play when $97,344 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $575 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Boston and Raleigh, plus other cities in MA and NC.
