North Carolina vs Texas
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.75%
6.25%
+1.5 pp in Texas
Income Tax (top rate)
3.99%
None
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,349
$1,170
+13% in North Carolina
Median Home Value
$364,650
$264,900
+27% in North Carolina
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$80,431
$67,043
+17% in North Carolina
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
60.3°F
67.2°F
+7.0°F in Texas
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/8 cities we track in North Carolina/Texas — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.