Raleigh, NC vs Washington, DC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Raleigh
71
#1035 nationally
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Washington leads in walk score (98 vs 31). Raleigh leads in cost of living index (105 vs 181). Washington leads in crime level (25.4 vs 32.0).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71 (#1035) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 470,763 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $435,237 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $82,424 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 24.3 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 98 |
| Crime Level | 32.0 | 25.4 |
| School Rating | 7.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+25.6 | D+86.1 |
C-
71 Score
Raleigh, NC
Research Triangle innovation hub
Median Home
$435,237
Population
470,763
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
Southeast
View Raleigh, NC →
D
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →