Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Brownsville, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 2.4% more expensive than Brownsville, TX. This translates to spending an extra $177 per month.

What salary do I need in Raleigh, NC to live like I do in Brownsville, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Brownsville, TX, you'd need approximately $152,129.507 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Brownsville, TX and Raleigh, NC?

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 15.5% more expensive than in Brownsville, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $1,093/month in Brownsville, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Brownsville, TX to Raleigh, NC?

Living in Raleigh, NC costs approximately $177 more per month than Brownsville, TX, or $2130 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Brownsville, TX vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Brownsville, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Corpus Christi, TX area

Current salary in Brownsville, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $177/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $152.1K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 2.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$177

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$2.1K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Brownsville, TX

Population:190K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$184K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:102

Median Home:$512K

Brownsville, TX

The Lone Star State

190K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 190K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Raleigh, NC

The Tar Heel State

474K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Research Triangle
•State capital
•Major university town

Major Industries

TechnologyResearchEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Brownsville, TX vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Brownsville, TX	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,138/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $331more	15.5%
📦Other	$1,813/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $105less	5.8%
🏥Healthcare	$537/mo	$601/mo	↑ $63.58more	11.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,337/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $53.03less	4.0%
⚡All Utilities	$502/mo	$546/mo	↑ $44.59more	8.9%
🛒Groceries	$928/mo	$959/mo	↑ $31.38more	3.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 15.5%

Brownsville, TX

$2,138

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$331

📦Other

↓ 5.8%

Brownsville, TX

$1,813

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$105

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 11.8%

Brownsville, TX

$537

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$63.58

🚗Transportation

↓ 4.0%

Brownsville, TX

$1,337

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$53.03

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 8.9%

Brownsville, TX

$502

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$44.59

🛒Groceries

↑ 3.4%

Brownsville, TX

$928

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$31.38

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$812

To$1,570

↑ $758

1 Bed

From$906

To$1,640

↑ $734

2 Bed

From$1,093

To$1,800

↑ $707

3 Bed

From$1,479

To$2,255

↑ $776

Brownsville, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,030/mo

Raleigh, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400–$1,880/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,255

Monthly in Brownsville, TX

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$312

Difference

Home Values

Brownsville

Raleigh

$184K

Median Value

$512K

↑ +2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +50.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$169K - $228K

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 178% more expensive than Brownsville

Calculate payment - Brownsville Calculate payment - Raleigh

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$594

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

Rate difference

Brownsville, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Raleigh, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Brownsville, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Raleigh, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.