CITY COMPARISON
Houston, TX vs Raleigh, NC cost of living
Raleigh, NC is 0.5% less expensive than Houston, TX on the latest overall regional price parity. A $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX is roughly equivalent to $100,000 in Raleigh, NC before personal adjustments.
Calculate your exact salaryHouston, TX and Raleigh, NC side-by-side
Latest available BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), U.S. Census ACS rent data (2024) and HUD Fair Market Rents (2027). Values are metro-wide estimates, not quotes.
The full Houston, TX vs Raleigh, NC cost of living comparison
Equivalent salary from Houston, TX to Raleigh, NC
For every $100,000 earned in Houston, TX, the broad price-parity equivalent is about $100,000 in Raleigh, NC. A real relocation decision should also include state taxes, actual housing, benefits, commute and one-time moving costs.
Who should pick Houston, TX?
- No state income tax
- Lowest housing costs of the major Texas metros
- Energy, aerospace and international trade jobs
- Highly diverse, international population
Who should pick Raleigh, NC?
- Research Triangle tech and pharma jobs
- Lower costs than Northeast hubs
- Strong universities and talent pipeline
- High quality of life and good schools
Houston, TX vs Raleigh, NC FAQ
Is Raleigh, NC more expensive than Houston, TX?
Raleigh, NC is 0.5% less expensive than Houston, TX on the latest overall regional price parity. A $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX is roughly equivalent to $100,000 in Raleigh, NC before personal adjustments.
What salary in Raleigh, NC matches $100,000 in Houston, TX?
The official price-parity estimate is approximately $100,000, before taxes and household-specific costs such as actual rent, commute and benefits.
Which city has better job opportunities, Houston, TX or Raleigh, NC?
Houston, TX: No state income tax, Lowest housing costs of the major Texas metros, Energy, aerospace and international trade jobs, Highly diverse, international population. Raleigh, NC: Research Triangle tech and pharma jobs, Lower costs than Northeast hubs, Strong universities and talent pipeline, High quality of life and good schools. The better fit depends on your industry, tax situation and lifestyle priorities.
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