NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Raleigh-Cary, NC

Metro Market Score 44.4 (Moderate), ranked #78 of 378 metros. 4,571 establishments, 74,194 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 44.4
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

💰High-Cost Market📈Rapid Growth⚡Rising Wages🌱Emerging Market

Raleigh-Cary ranks in the top quartile for retail trade market conditions, driven by above-average employment growth. With a market score of 44.4, conditions are relatively favorable compared to most metros.

Industry Concentration
24.9
LQ: 1.02
Rank #94 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
76.7
$40,921 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 86.5
Employment growth index
Rank #52 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
74.6
YoY wage change index

4,571 Retail Trade Firms in Raleigh-Cary

4,571
Establishments
-0.2% YoY
74,194
Total Employment
+1.9% YoY
$40,921
Average Annual Wage
+2.5% YoY
1.02
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Raleigh-Cary vs North Carolina Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to North Carolina overall. The state ranks #25/51 for entry risk.

Measure Raleigh-Cary NC Statewide
Overall Score 44.4 Moderate 43.4 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #78 of 378 metros #25 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Raleigh-Cary

Healthcare and Social Assistance 35.4 Accommodation and Food Services 42.8 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 54.3 Construction 56.1 Other Services 56.5 Administrative and Support Services 62.9 Information 74.2 Finance and Insurance 76.3

Retail Trade in Other North Carolina Metros

Durham-Chapel Hill 40.3 #51/378 Wilmington 42.4 #61/378 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton 42.7 #65/378 Goldsboro 45.0 #83/378 Pinehurst-Southern Pines 47.0 #99/378 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia 50.4 #146/378 Rocky Mount 56.1 #210/378 Greensboro-High Point 56.3 #212/378 Winston-Salem 60.3 #256/378 Burlington 61.6 #274/378

+ 4 more metros. View all in North Carolina →

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Raleigh-Cary's retail trade sector, the wage competitiveness component (76.7) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.