Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Raleigh, NC?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 15.1% of gross income.
Raleigh rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (North Carolina state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These North Carolina cities have lower median rent than Raleigh, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Raleigh
View full rent data for Raleigh, NC →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,572 a month. A typical pharmacist in North Carolina earns about $124,785 a year, which makes that rent 15.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Raleigh?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in North Carolina (~$124,785/yr) supports up to $3,120 a month in rent. Raleigh's current median rent is $1,572/mo, which leaves a $1,548/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Raleigh?
At an hourly equivalent of about $60 an hour, a pharmacist in North Carolina works roughly 26.2 hours a month to cover Raleigh's median rent of $1,572.
Where is rent cheaper than Raleigh for a pharmacist?
Nearby North Carolina cities with lower median rent include Durham ($1,571/mo), Smithfield ($1,571/mo), Smithfield ($1,570/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.