Raleigh, United States 🇺🇸
#53
,
Nomad Score:
66%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
52%
Weight: 150
Moderate cost of living compared to other US cities; more affordable than NYC or SF but pricier than smaller towns.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
47%
Weight: 80
Rental prices have risen due to demand, especially for apartments near downtown and tech hubs.
🍎 Food & Groceries
61%
Weight: 40
Grocery prices are reasonable; dining out ranges from affordable to mid-range.
🚌 Transportation Cost
55%
Weight: 20
Public transit is limited; most rely on cars, which adds to transportation expenses.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
63%
Weight: 15
Affordable entertainment options including theaters, music venues, and sports events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
68%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced with many options available.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
USD is one of the world's most stable currencies.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
84%
Weight: 100
High-speed internet widely available with reliable fiber connections in most areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
76%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in downtown and tech corridors, growing steadily.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi and comfortable work environments.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
72%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes with power outlets and conducive atmospheres for remote work.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
51%
Weight: 100
Emerging destination for digital nomads but not yet a major hotspot.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
78%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with many outdoor and leisure activities.
🌳 Environmental Quality
70%
Weight: 15
Generally good environment with ongoing efforts to improve sustainability.
🧼 Cleanliness
74%
Weight: 10
City is relatively clean with maintained public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
99%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, no significant barrier for English-speaking nomads.
💨 Air Quality
65%
Weight: 15
Air quality is generally good but can be affected by seasonal pollen and occasional pollution.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
87%
Weight: 20
High-quality healthcare facilities and hospitals available.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
32%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is expensive without insurance; costs can be prohibitive for uninsured nomads.
🏥 Healthcare
85%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure with many specialists and hospitals.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
79%
Weight: 80
Mild to warm climate with four distinct seasons; summers can be hot and humid.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
61%
Weight: 10
Moderate risk of hurricanes and occasional severe storms.
🏞️ Green Spaces
77%
Weight: 10
Numerous parks and green areas, including large urban parks and trails.
❄️ Air Conditioning
91%
Weight: 15
Widely available and standard in most buildings due to warm summers.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
73%
Weight: 10
Four seasons with mild winters and hot summers; some enjoy the seasonal changes.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
70%
Weight: 20
Growing cultural scene with museums, theaters, and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
64%
Weight: 15
Active nightlife with bars, live music, and clubs, though smaller than major metro areas.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
78%
Weight: 15
Access to hiking, lakes, and nearby natural parks.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Limited but some language schools and community classes available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
65%
Weight: 10
Moderate availability of local tours and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
67%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, and indoor sports facilities provide good options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
74%
Weight: 25
Diverse food scene with Southern cuisine, international options, and food trucks.
🧠 Yoga Studios
71%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers available.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
73%
Weight: 15
Good range of gyms, fitness centers, and recreational sports.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70%
Weight: 15
Growing availability of organic markets, vegan and health-focused restaurants.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
75%
Weight: 20
Eastern Time Zone suitable for working with both US coasts and Europe.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
72%
Weight: 25
Active tech and startup community with regular meetups and events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
68%
Weight: 20
Moderate availability of remote-friendly companies and freelance gigs.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
65%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community but less developed than major hubs.
🏢 Coworking Quality
74%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities and community events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
70%
Weight: 15
Strong and growing startup ecosystem, especially in tech and biotech.
💳 Local Payment Services
80%
Weight: 10
Widespread use of credit/debit cards, mobile payments, and banking apps.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption; some local interest but not a major crypto hub.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
79%
Weight: 30
Raleigh-Durham International Airport offers good domestic and some international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
43%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit options; mostly bus-based with no subway or light rail.
🚶 Walkability
51%
Weight: 20
Downtown is walkable but suburbs and wider city require car use.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
86%
Weight: 15
Uber and Lyft widely available and reliable.
🚲 Cycling
58%
Weight: 10
Some bike lanes and trails but cycling infrastructure is still developing.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
62%
Weight: 15
Good highway connections; limited rail service.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Some electric scooter and bike rentals available downtown but limited coverage.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
87%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G and growing 5G coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
90%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
83%
Weight: 15
Generally stable power supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
67%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in some public spaces and libraries but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
US visa process is complex and costly for many nationalities.
📊 Tax Friendliness
50%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates; North Carolina has state income tax and US taxes can be high.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
89%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech.
🏛️ Political Stability
76%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment with occasional partisan tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
65%
Weight: 15
Straightforward for residents and visa holders; more difficult for short-term visitors.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
78%
Weight: 10
Relatively simple and quick process to register a business.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in the US.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly with good amenities but visa and transit limitations.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
55%
Weight: 25
Some meetups and events but less frequent than major nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Growing online presence but smaller than top digital nomad cities.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
71%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with some neighborhoods having higher crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
74%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for women; active women's groups.
✊ Racial Tolerance
68%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; ongoing social challenges but improving inclusivity.