Cost of Living: Raleigh, NC vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Raleigh is 55% more expensive than Abilene.

$1,468/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 25%
$82,424/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 24%
$377,800 ↑ 111%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 53%
$1,487/mo ↑ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 25%
470,763
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $362/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $4,344/year.

Median household income is $19,704/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Abilene — common questions

Is Raleigh or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Abilene?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $362/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Abilene?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $19,704/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Texas?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Raleigh or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Raleigh details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

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