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Cost of Living: Raleigh, NC vs Houston, TX

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

2.0% Houston, TX is cheaper overall
11.5% 11.5% cheaper housing
3.1% 3.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 11.5% cheaper
Raleigh
104
Houston
92
🛒 Groceries 3.1% cheaper
Raleigh
97
Houston
94
🚗 Transportation 4.2% more
Raleigh
96
Houston
100
🏥 Healthcare 5.0% cheaper
Raleigh
100
Houston
95
⚡ Utilities 8.2% more
Raleigh
98
Houston
106

Detailed Breakdown

Category Raleigh, NC Houston, TX Difference
Overall Cost Index9896~Same
Housing1049211.5% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,350$1,20011.1% less
Median Home Price$385,000$295,00023.4% less
Groceries97943.1% less
Transportation961004.2% more
Healthcare100955.0% less
Utilities981068.2% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Raleigh, NC Houston, TX
State Income Tax4.50%None (0%)
State Sales Tax4.75%6.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.70%1.60%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Raleigh, NC
$78,000
Median household income
Houston, TX
$67,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Houston costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Houston to maintain your Raleigh lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Raleigh (98) vs Houston (96). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Raleigh3.1%
Houston4.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
Raleigh3.9%
Houston3.1%
Top Industries
RaleighTech, Biotech, Education
HoustonEnergy, Healthcare, Aerospace

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Raleigh24 min
Houston30 min
Walk Score
Raleigh30
Houston33
Air Quality (AQI)
Raleigh35
Houston52
Avg Temperature
Raleigh60°F
Houston70°F
Population
Raleigh469,698
Houston2,304,580

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Planning Your Move?

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🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Raleigh and Houston → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Houston →

Compare Other Cities

Raleigh vs Austin → Raleigh vs Denver → Raleigh vs Nashville → Houston vs Portland → Houston vs Phoenix → Houston vs Chicago →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raleigh or Houston cheaper to live in?+
Houston is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 11.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Raleigh vs Houston?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,350/month in Raleigh and $1,200/month in Houston — a difference of about $150 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Raleigh or Houston?+
North Carolina has a state income tax of 4.50% and sales tax of 4.75%. Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Raleigh to Houston?+
Median household income in Raleigh is $78,000 compared to $67,000 in Houston. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Raleigh vs Houston?+
The median home price in Raleigh is $385,000 versus $295,000 in Houston — a difference of $90,000. Property tax rates also differ: North Carolina averages 0.70% while Texas averages 1.60%.