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

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Raleigh is 21% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,468/mo ↓ 18%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 22%
$82,424/yr ↓ 42%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 71%
$377,800 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 27%
$1,487/mo ↓ 26%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 35%
470,763
Population
116,916

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
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $324/month cheaper in Raleigh, saving renters about $3,888/year.

Median household income is $58,929/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Raleigh or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Raleigh is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $324/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $58,929/year higher in The Woodlands.
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 The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Raleigh details → View The Woodlands details →

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