How much does it cost to commute in Raleigh?
In the Raleigh metro area, households spend about 40.0% of income on the combined cost of housing and transportation, with transportation alone accounting for roughly 17.0% of income — about $16,063 per year for a typical household. (Source: CNT Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, area-median-income household.)
Driving downtown means paying about $17.11 a day to park (median of 40 sampled garages). The region has 2 priced toll facilities, with rates from $3.25 to $4.50. On a simple daily round-trip basis from the data here, the lowest-cost option is driving and parking at about $23.61 per day.
Cost by mode in Raleigh
Daily round-trip cost, lowest first. All figures.
| Mode | Daily round trip | How it's priced |
|---|---|---|
| Drive (park + toll)Cheapest | $23.61 | downtown parking $17.11/day + 2 x lowest priced toll ($3.25) |
Toll roads near Raleigh
2 priced toll facilities, rates from $3.25 to $4.50.
| Facility | Operator | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Triangle Expressway (NC 540) | NC Turnpike Authority | $4.50 |
| Monroe Expressway (NC) | NC Turnpike Authority | $3.25 |
Downtown parking
Housing + Transportation affordability
The widely cited affordability benchmark is 45% for housing + transportation combined. Source: CNT H+T Index (AMI household). Typical household drives 19,110 miles/yr.
The numbers above are metro-wide medians. Enter your real origin and destination to compare drive, transit, park-and-ride, bike, and Uber by actual dollars — gas, tolls, parking, and fares included.
Frequently asked questions
How much is daily parking in downtown Raleigh?
Downtown Raleigh parking costs about $17.11 per day, or $115.88 per month for a reserved spot, based on 40 sampled garages.
What are the toll roads near Raleigh and what do they cost?
The Raleigh region has 2 priced toll facilities. The highest-rate facility is Triangle Expressway (NC 540) (NC Turnpike Authority) at $4.50. Rates across the region run from $3.25 to $4.50.
What share of income goes to housing and transportation in Raleigh?
In the Raleigh metro, a typical household spends about 40.0% of income on housing and transportation combined, with 17.0% on transportation alone — roughly $16,063 per year. The widely cited affordability benchmark is 45% for H+T combined.