Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Raleigh is approximately 20% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,827/mo in Raleigh versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Raleigh is $307 (25%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Raleigh is $313 (24%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Raleigh is $234 (15%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Raleigh is $154 (8%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Raleigh is $28,659 (39%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Raleigh is $12,974 (31%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Raleigh is $12,971 (32%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Raleigh is $167,800 (66%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Houston is $1,359 (45%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in Houston vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Houston is $20 (14%) higher than Raleigh

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Raleigh is $8 (25%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Houston is $144 (6%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in Houston vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Raleigh are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Raleigh are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Houston is 13.0% (159%) higher than Raleigh

Taxes in Houston vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Raleigh is 4.5% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Houston is 1.5% (32%) higher than Raleigh

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Houston is 1.2% (17%) higher than Raleigh

Transportation in Houston vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Houston is 3.7 min (15%) higher than Raleigh

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Houston is 8.0% (12%) higher than Raleigh

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Houston is 1.4% (200%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Raleigh is $642 (20%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Raleigh is $990 (22%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Raleigh is $900 (13%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Raleigh.

Is Houston or Raleigh more expensive?

Raleigh is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 20%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh is approximately $313 (24%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Raleigh?

Raleigh has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Houston and Raleigh

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Houston profile Raleigh profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.