Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Grand Prairie, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Raleigh, NC is 2.1% more expensive than Grand Prairie, TX. This translates to spending an extra $158 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Grand Prairie, TX, you'd need approximately $151,894.737 in Raleigh, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Raleigh, NC is 11.8% more expensive than in Grand Prairie, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,800/month in Raleigh, NC compared to $1,840/month in Grand Prairie, TX.

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

Living in Raleigh, NC costs approximately $158 more per month than Grand Prairie, TX, or $1895 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Grand Prairie, TX vs Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Grand Prairie, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Arlington, TX area

Current salary in Grand Prairie, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $158/month more in Raleigh, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $151.9K in Raleigh, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 2.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$158

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$1.9K

Per year

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

Grand Prairie, TX

Population:202K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$268K

Raleigh, NC

Population:474K

Cost Index:102

Median Home:$512K

Grand Prairie, TX

The Lone Star State

202K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 202K 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: Grand Prairie, TX vs Raleigh, NC

Category	Grand Prairie, TX	Raleigh, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,209/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $260more	11.8%
📦Other	$1,607/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $100more	6.3%
🏥Healthcare	$632/mo	$601/mo	↓ $30.98less	4.9%
🛒Groceries	$979/mo	$959/mo	↓ $19.99less	2.0%
⚡All Utilities	$563/mo	$546/mo	↓ $16.39less	2.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,298/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $13.66less	1.1%

🏠Housing

↑ 11.8%

Grand Prairie, TX

$2,209

Raleigh, NC

$2,469

Difference

$260

📦Other

↑ 6.3%

Grand Prairie, TX

$1,607

Raleigh, NC

$1,707

Difference

$100

🏥Healthcare

↓ 4.9%

Grand Prairie, TX

$632

Raleigh, NC

$601

Difference

$30.98

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 2.0%

Grand Prairie, TX

$979

Raleigh, NC

$959

Difference

$19.99

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.9%

Grand Prairie, TX

$563

Raleigh, NC

$546

Difference

$16.39

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 1.1%

Grand Prairie, TX

$1,298

Raleigh, NC

$1,284

Difference

$13.66

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,510

To$1,570

↑ $60.00

1 Bed

From$1,570

To$1,640

↑ $70.00

2 Bed

From$1,840

To$1,800

↓ $40.00

3 Bed

From$2,340

To$2,255

↓ $85.00

Grand Prairie, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300–$1,800/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.

$7,288

Monthly in Grand Prairie, TX

$7,567

Monthly in Raleigh, NC

$279

Difference

Home Values

Grand Prairie

Raleigh

$268K

Median Value

$512K

↓ -4.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.5%

↑ +29.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +38.2%

$242K - $318K

Price Range

$314K - $992K

Homes in Raleigh are 91% more expensive than Grand Prairie

Calculate payment - Grand Prairie 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

Grand Prairie, 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

Grand Prairie, 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.