Median rent is 13% lower in Houston ($1,361/mo vs $1,572/mo). Buying is cheaper in Houston, where the median home runs $277,800 versus $415,800. Households earn more in Raleigh ($85,395 vs $64,813 a year). Taken together, Raleigh is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.4 against 99.7 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Raleigh, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Raleigh is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.4 in Raleigh vs 99.7 in Houston (US national average = 100)
City A
Houston, TX
City B
Raleigh, NC
How much would you need to earn in Raleigh, NC to maintain your standard of living from Houston, TX?
Equivalent salary in Raleigh, NC
$73,963
You could earn $1,037 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Houston
Texas
Raleigh
North Carolina
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Houston at $1,361/mo compared to $1,572/mo in Raleigh (13% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Raleigh: the median home is $415,800 versus $277,800 in Houston — 33% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Houston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Raleigh
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Raleigh has cleaner air on average: 47.0 AQI (Good) compared to 59.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,395/yr).
Pick Houston if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,361/mo median).
Pick Raleigh if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 47.0).
Is Houston cheaper than Raleigh?
Raleigh is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.4 versus 99.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Raleigh.
How much is rent in Houston vs Raleigh?
Median rent is $1,361/mo in Houston, TX and $1,572/mo in Raleigh, NC. Houston, TX has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Houston or Raleigh?
Median household income is $64,813 in Houston, TX and $85,395 in Raleigh, NC. Raleigh, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Raleigh, NC has better air quality on average: 47.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Houston or Raleigh?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Raleigh to match my Houston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Houston, TX is equivalent to roughly $98,617 in Raleigh, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
