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

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Arlington

Texas
95

Raleigh is 16% more expensive than Arlington.

$1,468/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$1,389/mo ↓ 5%
$82,424/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$73,519/yr ↓ 11%
$377,800 ↑ 37%
Home Value
$276,400 ↓ 27%
$1,487/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,420/mo ↓ 5%
470,763
Population
394,769

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
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Arlington, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $79/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $948/year.

Median household income is $8,905/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $276,400 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Arlington — common questions

Is Raleigh or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Arlington?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Arlington it's $1,389/month — a difference of $79/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Arlington?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $73,519 in Arlington. Median household income is $8,905/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 Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,389/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Raleigh details → View Arlington details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Raleigh and Arlington

Raleigh vs. Colorado Springs Raleigh vs. Long Beach Raleigh vs. Omaha Raleigh vs. Virginia Beach Raleigh vs. Atlanta Raleigh vs. Miami Arlington vs. Wichita Arlington vs. Tampa Arlington vs. Bakersfield Arlington vs. Aurora Arlington vs. Tulsa Arlington vs. New Orleans