Vilnius wins overall by ~41% (COL index)
Cost of living: Vilnius vs Raleigh (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Vilnius buys roughly what $126,250 does in Raleigh (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$3,611/yr
Favoring Vilnius for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $301/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~50 months and still keep ~$36/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Vilnius Vilnius County | Raleigh North Carolina | Who wins | Your impact at $75K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $580Wins | $1,400 | Vilnius wins +$820/mo | $9,840/yr saves in Vilnius |
| 1BR rent/mo | $800Wins | $1,700 | Vilnius wins +$900/mo | $10,800/yr saves in Vilnius |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,150Wins | $2,200 | Vilnius wins +$1,050/mo | $12,600/yr saves in Vilnius |
| Median home price | — | $380K | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | — | 96 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $9Wins | $13 | Vilnius wins +$4/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $19Wins | $55 | Vilnius wins +$36/mo | $432/yr saves in Vilnius |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | — | $70 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | — | $3.10 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | — | $145 | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $95Wins | $150 | Vilnius wins +$55/mo | $660/yr saves in Vilnius |
| Internet/mo | $28Wins | $60 | Vilnius wins +$32/mo | $384/yr saves in Vilnius |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | — | $70K | — | — |
| State income tax% | 20.0% | 4.5%Wins | Raleigh wins -15.5 pp | $11,625/yr saves in Raleigh |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 21.0% | 7.5%Wins | Raleigh wins -13.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | — | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $32Wins | $40 | Vilnius wins +$8/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | — | $6.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 60Wins | 101 | Vilnius wins +41 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 72Wins | 26 | Vilnius wins -46 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$11,616/yr tax difference into cash back
Vilnius fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Vilnius.
High-yield savings
Park ~$10,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vilnius cheaper than Raleigh?
Yes. Vilnius is 41% cheaper than Raleigh based on overall cost of living indices (60 vs 101, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Vilnius vs Raleigh?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Vilnius is $800/month and in Raleigh is $1,700/month. Vilnius is cheaper by 53%.
How much do I need to earn in Raleigh to match a $75,000 salary in Vilnius?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $126,250/year in Raleigh to match a $75,000 salary in Vilnius. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Vilnius or Raleigh?
Raleigh has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 20%. The difference is 15.5 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Vilnius to Raleigh?
It depends on your priorities. Vilnius offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Vilnius ↔ Raleigh
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