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

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

Raleigh is 14% cheaper than Richardson.

$1,468/mo ↓ 20%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↑ 24%
$82,424/yr ↓ 14%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↑ 17%
$377,800 ↓ 7%
Home Value
$405,600 ↑ 7%
$1,487/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↑ 21%
470,763
Population
118,269

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
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $357/month cheaper in Raleigh, saving renters about $4,284/year.

Median household income is $13,833/year higher in Richardson. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Richardson — common questions

Is Raleigh or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Raleigh is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Richardson?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $357/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Richardson?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $13,833/year higher in Richardson.
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 Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Raleigh details → View Richardson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Raleigh and Richardson

Raleigh vs. Colorado Springs Raleigh vs. Long Beach Raleigh vs. Omaha Raleigh vs. Virginia Beach Raleigh vs. Atlanta Raleigh vs. Miami Richardson vs. Billings Richardson vs. Cambridge Richardson vs. Wilmington Richardson vs. North Charleston Richardson vs. Spring Hill Richardson vs. Clearwater