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

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Brownsville

Texas
54

Raleigh is 104% more expensive than Brownsville.

$1,468/mo ↑ 62%
Median Rent
$906/mo ↓ 38%
$82,424/yr ↑ 69%
Median Income
$48,675/yr ↓ 41%
$377,800 ↑ 209%
Home Value
$122,400 ↓ 68%
$1,487/mo ↑ 79%
Owner Costs
$830/mo ↓ 44%
470,763
Population
188,023

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
22.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Brownsville, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 54 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $562/month cheaper in Brownsville, saving renters about $6,744/year.

Median household income is $33,749/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $122,400 in Brownsville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Brownsville — common questions

Is Raleigh or Brownsville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Brownsville is cheaper to live in with an index of 54 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Brownsville?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Brownsville it's $906/month — a difference of $562/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Brownsville?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $48,675 in Brownsville. Median household income is $33,749/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 Brownsville?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/mo, while Brownsville has a cost index of 54 with rent of $906/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Raleigh details → View Brownsville details →

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