Kept

City vs city

Philadelphia vs Raleigh

$100,000 in Philadelphia buys a lifestyle closer to $96,000 in Raleigh, because Raleigh's cost-of-living index is 106 versus 110.

Philadelphia

The wage tax is the paycheck surprise. Housing is cheap for a city this large.

COL index
110
Typical 1-bed
$1,650/mo
Comfortable salary
$94,000
$100k take-home
$72,360
Full Philadelphia guide

Raleigh

Research Triangle wages plus a flat state tax and growing housing costs.

COL index
106
Typical 1-bed
$1,500/mo
Comfortable salary
$90,000
$100k take-home
$75,699
Full Raleigh guide

More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diego