Raleigh, NC
A falling flat income tax, Research Triangle jobs, East Coast access.
Raleigh and the Research Triangle attract people moving for tech, healthcare and university jobs. North Carolina's flat income tax is 3.99% for tax year 2026 and is scheduled under current law to keep stepping down in later years. In the most recent Redfin data the typical Raleigh home sold for about $424K, versus about $904K for the typical LA County zip code.
The money picture
| Typical LA County zip | Raleigh, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $904K | $424K |
| Median price per sq ft | $588 | $231 |
| Median days on market | n/a | 32 |
| State income tax on wages | Progressive, top rate 13.3% | 3.99% flat rate (tax year 2026), scheduled to step down further |
Market figures: Redfin Data Center. Raleigh: May 2026, all residential. LA: median of LA County zip-code medians, Mar 2026 to May 2026. Medians are a rough guide and hide a wide range of homes. Tax rates as published by each state for tax year 2026; rates change, so verify with the state's revenue department.
North Carolina's rate has been reduced several times in recent years, from 4.25% in 2025 to 3.99% in 2026. Future reductions are written into current law but laws can change, so treat future rates as a projection, not a promise. Property taxes are set by each county and city and are generally moderate.
On $200,000 of taxable income, 3.99% is about $7,980 in North Carolina income tax. Illustrative only: the actual amount depends on deductions, credits, filing status and the year.
What people tend to weigh
- Jobs. Research Triangle Park plus major universities and hospital systems.
- Location. A few hours to the beach or the mountains, and a short flight to most of the East Coast.
- Climate. Hot, humid summers, mild winters, and hurricane season remnants.
- Housing stock. Lots of newer suburban construction in Cary, Apex, Wake Forest and Holly Springs.
Selling the LA side first
The move usually starts with the sale here. Our guide to selling your LA home and moving out of state walks through timing, California withholding at closing, transfer taxes and other things people commonly ask a CPA about.