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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Katy, TX — COL adjusted from Houston, TX area + state data

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $852/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $160.2K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area
Overall Cost
↑ 11.4%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$852
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$10.2K
Per year

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

Katy, TX

Population:26K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$245K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K
Cost Index:111
Median Home:$399K

Katy, TX

The Lone Star State

26K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 26K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Charlotte, NC

The Tar Heel State

875K
Population
State Tax
Yes
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • •Major banking center
  • •NASCAR headquarters
  • •Queen City

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyEnergyMotorsports

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Katy, TX vs Charlotte, NC

🏠Housing
↑ 38.7%
Katy, TX
$1,780
Charlotte, NC
$2,469
Difference
$689
more
🛒Groceries
↑ 14.3%
Katy, TX
$866
Charlotte, NC
$989
Difference
$123
more
📦Other
↑ 7.0%
Katy, TX
$1,596
Charlotte, NC
$1,707
Difference
$112
more
🚗Transportation
↓ 8.1%
Katy, TX
$1,308
Charlotte, NC
$1,202
Difference
$106
less
🏥Healthcare
↑ 19.5%
Katy, TX
$534
Charlotte, NC
$638
Difference
$104
more
⚡All Utilities
↓ 1.1%
Katy, TX
$525
Charlotte, NC
$519
Difference
$5.76
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$729
To$1,630
↑ $901
1 Bed
From$844
To$1,710
↑ $866
2 Bed
From$1,036
To$1,870
↑ $834
3 Bed
From$1,419
To$2,300
↑ $881
Charlotte, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340–$2,310/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.

$6,608
Monthly in Katy, TX
$7,525
Monthly in Charlotte, NC
$916
Difference

Home Values

Katy
Charlotte
-
Median Value
$399K
-
YoY Change
↓ -1.1%
-
5-Year Change
↑ +40.8%
-
Price Range
$293K - $1.57M
Calculate payment - Charlotte

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

Katy, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Charlotte, 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

Katy, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

Charlotte, 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.

Environment

Katy
Charlotte
61 Moderate
Air Quality
51 Moderate
13.7%
Good Air Days
46.2%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
97 High
🌊🌅🌀
Top Hazards
🌊🌪💨
▲+2.2°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.9°F
64 days
Heat Days >95°F
36 days
▲+2.2°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.9°F
64 days
Heat Days >95°F
36 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Texas and North Carolina on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Katy, TX on a $150.0K salary

1.Indianapolis, IN
Save $9.36/mo
2.St. Louis, MO
Save $9.36/mo

Similar cost to Charlotte, NC

Other cities in a similar price range

Austin, TXDenver, CONashville, TN

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