Raleigh, NC
27603
Wake County County · North Carolina · Pop. 57,640
Last updated: May 2026
Raleigh, North Carolina (ZIP code 27603) is home to approximately 57,640 residents. The median household income in 27603 is $74,623, which is 5% above the national average of $70,784. The cost of living in 27603 is reflected in its housing market - the median home value is $286,987 and the average rent is $1,209/month. 27603 has a violent crime rate of 193.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 49% below the national average - earning it a safety grade of A+. 27603 is served by with an average school rating of 6.4/10. Air quality in 27603 is rated Good with an average AQI of 42.5. The average commute time in 27603 is 26 minutes, 1 minutes below the national average. Compare 27603 vs national averages and nearby neighborhoods using our free ZipScore intelligence platform.
On This Page
👥 Demographics
Race & Ethnicity
💰 Income & Economy
Affordability Assessment: Renters in this area spend approximately 19% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 3.8x the median income.
🏠 Housing
🔒 Safety & Crime
Raleigh (27603) has lower-than-average violent crime rates - 49% below the national average - making it a relatively safe place to live.
🎓 Schools & Education
Top Schools in 27603
| School | Type | Rating | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh Academy | public | 6/10 | 861 |
| St. Mary's School of Raleigh | public | 6/10 | 737 |
🌡️ Climate & Weather
🌫️ Air Quality
⚠️ Natural Disaster Risk
🚗 Commute
Nearby ZIP Codes
Compare 27603 With Another ZIP
Pros and Cons of Living in Raleigh, NC (27603)
Based on crime, housing, income, schools, and air quality data
✅ Pros
- + Low crime rate - violent crime is 49% below the national average
- + Good air quality - average AQI of 42.5 (rated "Good" by EPA standards)
- + Low natural disaster risk - minimal risk of flooding, earthquakes, and severe weather
⚠️ Cons
No significant concerns identified based on available data.
Data sourced from US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Statistics, and EPA. Individual experiences may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions about ZIP Code 27603
What is the population of 27603? ▼
The population of ZIP code 27603 in Raleigh, North Carolina is approximately 57,640 people.
Is 27603 safe to live in? ▼
Raleigh (27603) has lower-than-average violent crime rates - 49% below the national average - making it a relatively safe place to live. Safety Grade: A+.
What is the median income in 27603? ▼
The median household income in 27603 (Raleigh, North Carolina) is $74,623. The per capita income is $48,505. The US national median household income is $70,784.
What is the cost of living in 27603? ▼
Renters in this area spend approximately 19% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 3.8x the median income. Median home value: $286,987. Average rent: $1,209/month.
What are schools like in 27603? ▼
Schools in 27603 receive an Education Grade of C-. There are 2 schools with an average rating of 6.4/10 and a student-teacher ratio of 21:1. See the full schools section above for individual school listings.
What is the crime rate in 27603? ▼
The violent crime rate in 27603 is 193.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average of 380.7. Property crime rate: 1531.0 per 100k (national avg: 1,958.2).
What is the average rent in 27603? ▼
The median monthly rent in 27603 (Raleigh, North Carolina) is $1,209/month. The national median rent is $1,163/month.
What is the median home value in 27603? ▼
The median home value in 27603 (Raleigh, North Carolina) is $286,987. The national median home value is $303,400. Homes in this ZIP code are more affordable than the national average.
Is 27603 a good place to live? ▼
27603 (Raleigh, North Carolina) has a ZipScore of 67/100 - our composite score based on safety (25%), affordability (20%), schools (15%), air quality (10%), climate (10%), commute (10%), and disaster risk (10%). This is a good neighborhood with solid fundamentals.
What is the air quality in 27603? ▼
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in 27603 is 42.5 - rated Good by EPA standards. Average PM2.5 level: 5.7 µg/m³.
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), FBI Uniform Crime Report, EPA AirNow, FEMA National Risk Index, and Open-Meteo. Last updated: May 2026