Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Greensboro, NC (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Greensboro

North Carolina
76

Houston is 16% more expensive than Greensboro.

$1,313/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,114/mo ↓ 15%
$62,894/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$58,884/yr ↓ 6%
$253,400 ↑ 15%
Home Value
$221,300 ↓ 13%
$1,316/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,107/mo ↓ 16%
2,300,419
Population
298,564

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Greensboro, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $199/month cheaper in Greensboro, saving renters about $2,388/year.

Median household income is $4,010/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $221,300 in Greensboro.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Greensboro — common questions

Is Houston or Greensboro cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Greensboro is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Greensboro?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Greensboro it's $1,114/month — a difference of $199/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Greensboro?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $58,884 in Greensboro. Median household income is $4,010/year higher in Houston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Greensboro?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Greensboro has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,114/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Greensboro details →

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