same $100k income, fresh start from Houston
changea dispatch from
raleigh
NC
35.78°N
78.64°W
Raleigh is the third leg of the Research Triangle, full of oaks (its nickname is the City of Oaks), state museums that are all free, and a downtown that's grown up fast without losing its quiet edges. NC State pumps young energy in, the food scene is sneaky-good, and the surrounding pine forests make summer evenings smell incredible. Beaches are two hours east, mountains three hours west.
in our guides
the verdict
pricier each month than Houston
Raleigh costs more than Houston, and you'll feel it. The upside has to come from somewhere other than your budget.
a quick ledger.
$1,663/mo
3% more expensive than Houston(vs $1,610/mo)
4.5%
$375/mo more in state tax than Houston
vs 0% in Houston
$6,295/mo
$428 less than Houston
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$440k
42% more expensive than Houston
vs $311k in Houston
1.5M
vs 7.5M in Houston
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in raleigh.
Houston only logs 171 pleasant days.
But the calendar thins out: Houston stays 4.5× busier.
58/100
5% higher than Houston
vs 55/100 in Houston
Closest outdoor draw: William B. Umstead State Park, 9.9 mi.
97/100
26% higher than Houston
vs 77/100 in Houston
39
78% fewer than Houston
vs 176 nonstops in Houston
if raleigh appeals, also worth a look:
