Los Angeles
California
Pop. 3,881,041
VS
Raleigh
North Carolina
Pop. 465,517

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

47
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
70
Overall Score /100
Wins 4 of 7 categories
Raleigh wins 4–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Raleigh wins 1–4 overall (70/100)
💰 Raleigh is more affordable
💼 Raleigh has lower unemployment
🛡️ Raleigh has fewer disasters

📋 Los Angeles vs Raleigh — The Verdict

Raleigh scores 70.2/100 compared to Los Angeles's 47.5/100, winning 4 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Raleigh has a clear edge with home prices 58% lower. Raleigh has a significantly tighter job market with unemployment at 3.9%. For safety-conscious movers, Raleigh has a notably lower disaster history with 42 fewer declarations in 20 years. Raleigh may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Raleigh are 58% lower — a difference of $475,600 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Raleigh saves you $420/month — that's $5,040 per year.
📊
Raleigh has a 1.6 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Raleigh has experienced 42 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Los Angeles vs Raleigh: Cost of Living Comparison
10
vs
65
Median Home Value
$822,600
$347,000
Median Rent /mo
$1,791
$1,371
Median Income
$76,244
$78,631
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Raleigh offers home prices 58% lower than Los Angeles, translating to $475,600 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Los Angeles vs Raleigh: Job Market & Salaries
35
vs
70
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
3.9%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Raleigh has a substantially stronger job market with unemployment 1.6 percentage points lower. If you're relocating without a job lined up, this difference matters.
🌡️ Los Angeles vs Raleigh: Weather & Climate
50
vs
40
Summer High
°F
8.8°F
Winter Low
°F
3.2°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
0.5"
Annual Snow
"
-77.4"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Los Angeles vs Raleigh: Air Quality & Environment
85
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
0
23 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Los Angeles vs Raleigh: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Los Angeles vs Raleigh: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
54
12
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
High
Raleigh has a markedly lower disaster history — 42 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Los Angeles to Raleigh: Common Questions

Is Los Angeles or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is more affordable overall. Home prices are $475,600 lower in Raleigh. Monthly rent is $1,371 in Raleigh vs $1,791 in Los Angeles.
Does Los Angeles or Raleigh have better weather?
Los Angeles scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is Los Angeles or Raleigh better for finding a job?
Raleigh currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 5.5% in Los Angeles vs 3.9% in Raleigh. Median household income is $76,244 in Los Angeles and $78,631 in Raleigh.
Which city is safer — Los Angeles or Raleigh?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Raleigh is safer. Los Angeles has had 54 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 12 in Raleigh. Los Angeles scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Raleigh.
Should I move from Los Angeles to Raleigh?
Based on our data, Raleigh scores 70.2/100 vs Los Angeles's 47.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Raleigh is more affordable, while Los Angeles has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.