Moving from Raleigh to Houston?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Raleigh lifestyle in Houston, you'd need to earn:
$75,338/year
▲ $338 more than you make now
| Category | Raleigh | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $75,338 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$8,188 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,671 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,092 |
| State Tax | -$3,188 | -$0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,961 | $61,386 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +0.5% in Houston
- Housing is +1.0% in Houston
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $3,188/year in taxes in Houston
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~1,055 miles
DIY Truck
$4,000
Container
$6,500
Full-Service
$9,000
Salary Equivalents: Raleigh to Houston
| Your Raleigh Salary | Houston Equivalent | Difference | Houston Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $40,181 | +$181 | $34,324 |
| $50,000 | $50,226 | +$226 | $42,395 |
| $60,000 | $60,271 | +$271 | $50,466 |
| $75,000 | $75,338 | +$338 | $61,386 |
| $100,000 | $100,451 | +$451 | $79,053 |
| $150,000 | $150,677 | +$677 | $113,741 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Raleigh and Houston Compare
Housing (1% more expensive in Houston)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Houston rents for $1,129/month compared to $1,240/month in Raleigh. Median home prices: $335,000 in Houston vs $431,000 in Raleigh.
Taxes
North Carolina has a flat 4.3% state income tax. Texas has no state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Houston would save you about $3,188/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Houston's overall cost of living is 0.5% higher than Raleigh, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Raleigh: 98.2, Houston: 98.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Raleigh to Houston move. Average cost: $4,000–$9,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Houston
Average 1BR rent in Houston: $1,129/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →