Cost of living Coverage

In Depth with Dan: Answering viewer responses about the cost of living

The cost of living is a major concern for many Americans, including people who live in North Carolina.

Price of raising kids contributes to smaller family sizes

The cost of living is a major concern for many Americans, including those who live in North Carolina. The average American family is having fewer children, and the average cost of child care is around $9,200 per year.

High costs shrink size of families: The price of raising kids

The cost of living is a major concern for many Americans. The average American family is having fewer children, and the average cost of child care is around $9,200 per year.

Dan Haggerty, WRAL anchor/reporter

Marshall Brain: We can solve the middle-class economic crisis in the United States

There are so many things that the United States could do to improve the lives of middle-class Americans, and to increase the size of the middle class. Will we ever do any of these things?

Former North Hills hotel converted into apartments

A former hotel in Raleigh's North Hills has been converted into one-bedroom apartments called 1105 Flats.

Former North Hills hotel converted to one-bedroom apartments

A former hotel in North Hills has been converted into one-bedroom apartments called 1105 Flats.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Walden: Is cost of living, inflation lower in NC?

Data from the federal government for 2022 show the cost of the same products and services bought by a typical household was 5.8% lower in North Carolina compared to the nation.

Wake County requiring companies to pay a living wage in order to benefit from taxpayer dollars

Wake County is changing the minimum companies must pay employees if they want to maximize tax incentives. A new set of tax incentives require companies pay the county's living wage.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

NC communities get creative to find affordable housing solutions

The city of Durham is seeking bids to build affordable housing on city-owned vacant lots. This is part of a larger effort in the Triangle area to address the affordable housing crisis.

Triangle leaders look for solutions to develop affordable housing

The city of Durham is seeking bids to build affordable housing on city-owned vacant lots. This is part of a larger effort in the Triangle area to address the affordable housing crisis.

Mark Boyle, WRAL anchor/reporter

Which term is correct to use? Day care or child care

Whichever term you use, WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty found there are increasing costs for people who look after children.

Day care versus child care: Which is the correct term to use?

Whichever term you use, WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty found there are increasing costs for people who look after children.

Dan Haggerty, WRAL anchor/reporter

Johnston County commissioners vote to reduce property tax rate

Johnston County property owners are due to pay 69 cents per $100 of property value. The figure is down from the previous 73 cents per $100 of property value.

Johnston County lowers property tax rate for upcoming fiscal year

Johnston County property owners are due to pay 69 cents per $100 of property value. The figure is down from the previous 73 cents per $100 of property value.

Julian Grace, WRAL anchor/reporter

Economists forecast grocery bill relief in months ahead

Economists believe grocery inflation should continue improving, but expect it to remain above pre-pandemic levels for the duration of the year.

Expect your grocery bill to go down, economists forecast - but not to what it was before COVID

Economists believe grocery inflation should continue improving, but expect it to remain above pre-pandemic levels for the duration of the year.

Ali Ingersoll, WRAL investigative data reporter

Wake County recommends $11.8 million to fund affordable housing

Wake County leaders on Tuesday recommended $11.8 million in funding for six affordable housing projects in Cary, Knightdale, Raleigh and Rolesville.

'There is no middle class': Working families struggle to find housing in Charlotte

Groups are working to fill a different kind of affordable housing gap in the Queen City.

Lexi Wilson, WCNC

Survey: Wake County residents find cost of living, affordable housing to be top issues

On Monday, Wake County leaders are learning more about what locals consider to be the top concerns for quality of life in one of the most growing areas of the state.

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

Wake County survey shines light on positives, challenges for residents

Wake County commissioners plan to review findings of a survey on Monday The results will help inform decision-making on big issues in the years ahead.

WRAL Investigates who is profiting from inflation

Costs have increased for cereals, bakery items, dairy products, non-alcoholic beverages, meat and eggs.

'We're paying for them': WRAL Investigates companies getting fat on your shrinking food budget

Chills at the checkout. We all know the fear as your grocery bills seem to add up faster than Mega Millions jackpot these days.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

Zillow study: It takes 4 to afford typical Raleigh 2-bedroom apartment

According to a Zillow study, a typical one-bedroom apartment in Raleigh costs $1,260 a month to rent, and a typical two-bedroom apartment costs $1,392 a month.

New study finds it takes 4 people to afford apartment in Raleigh

A new Zillow study discovered it takes four people to cover the cost of rent for an apartment in Raleigh.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Orange County's 2023 living wage announced

Orange County's living wages are updated annually to keep pace with the rising rent costs.

WRAL Staff