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

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

Raleigh is 59% more expensive than Amarillo.

$1,468/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 29%
$82,424/yr ↑ 32%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 24%
$377,800 ↑ 102%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 51%
$1,487/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 28%
470,763
Population
200,945

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $419/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $5,028/year.

Median household income is $19,955/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Amarillo — common questions

Is Raleigh or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Amarillo?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $419/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Amarillo?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $19,955/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 Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/mo, while Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,049/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Raleigh details → View Amarillo details →

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