State Comparison

Texas vs North Carolina

Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics including taxes, housing costs, cost of living, wages, and insurance — powered by verified government data.

Overall Score

Texas

2 tied

of 16 metrics

North Carolina

Cost of Living

Metric

Texas

North Carolina

Advantage

Cost of Living Index

Composite index where 100 = national average. Lower means more affordable.

TX: 93.9

NC: 95.1

Housing

Metric

Texas

North Carolina

Advantage

Median Home Price

Approximate median single-family home sale price (2024 data).

TX: $310,000

NC: $315,000

Median 2BR Rent

HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.

TX: $1,275/mo

NC: $1,100/mo

Closing Costs

Typical closing costs as a percentage of home sale price.

TX: 2.50%

NC: 2.50%

Tie

Transfer Tax Rate

State/county transfer tax on real estate transactions.

TX: 0.00%

NC: 0.20%

Taxes

Metric

Texas

North Carolina

Advantage

Property Tax Rate

Effective median property tax rate on owner-occupied housing.

TX: 1.80%

NC: 0.84%

Top Income Tax Rate

Top marginal state income tax rate. States with no income tax show "None."

TX: None

NC: 4.25%

Sales Tax Rate

State-level sales tax rate (excludes local add-ons).

TX: 6.25%

NC: 4.75%

Capital Gains Tax Rate

State capital gains tax rate (0% = no separate capital gains tax).

TX: None

NC: 4.25%

Income & Employment

Metric

Texas

North Carolina

Advantage

Median Household Income

Annual median household income from Census Bureau ACS.

TX: $67,321

NC: $60,516

Minimum Wage

State minimum wage for non-tipped employees.

TX: $7.25/hr

NC: $7.25/hr

Tie

Max Unemployment Benefit

Maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit.

TX: $521/wk

NC: $350/wk

Business

Metric

Texas

North Carolina

Advantage

LLC Filing Fee

Initial state filing fee to form an LLC.

TX: $300

NC: $125

LLC Annual Fee

Annual LLC report or franchise fee.

TX: $0

NC: $200

Insurance & Living

Metric

Texas

North Carolina

Advantage

Avg Car Insurance

Average annual full-coverage car insurance premium.

TX: $2,150/yr

NC: $1,540/yr

Avg Home Insurance

Average annual homeowners insurance premium.

TX: $3,600/yr

NC: $2,180/yr

Key Takeaways

1

Texas leads in 8 of 16 financial metrics, making it the more favorable state overall.
2

Housing: Median home prices are $310,000 in Texas vs $315,000 in North Carolina — a $5,000 difference.
3

Taxes: Texas has no income tax while North Carolina has a 4.25% top rate. Property tax rates are 1.8% vs 0.84%.
4

Cost of Living: Texas's index is 93.9 and North Carolina's is 95.1 (national average = 100).

Run the Numbers

Use our free calculators with real Texas and North Carolina data to model your specific scenario.

Texas Property Tax Calculator North Carolina Property Tax Calculator Texas Paycheck Calculator North Carolina Paycheck Calculator Texas Cost of Living Calculator North Carolina Cost of Living Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Texas or North Carolina more affordable?

Texas has a lower cost of living index (93.9) compared to North Carolina (95.1), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.

Which state has lower taxes — Texas or North Carolina?

Overall, Texas has a lower combined tax burden. Texas has no income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.8% property tax. North Carolina has a 4.25% top income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.84% property tax.

What are housing costs in Texas vs North Carolina?

The median home price in Texas is $310,000 compared to $315,000 in North Carolina. For renters, a 2-bedroom apartment averages $1,275/month in Texas vs $1,100/month in North Carolina.

Which state is better for starting a business — Texas or North Carolina?

LLC filing costs are $300 in Texas vs $125 in North Carolina, with annual fees of $0 and $200 respectively. Texas's lack of income tax compared to North Carolina's 4.25% rate may also factor into your decision.

Should I move from Texas to North Carolina?

It depends on your priorities. Texas wins in 8 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.

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Related Comparisons

California vs Texas California vs North Carolina New York vs Texas New York vs North Carolina Texas vs Florida Texas vs Arizona Texas vs Colorado Texas vs Tennessee

Comparing Texas and North Carolina

When deciding between living in Texas or North Carolina, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rent data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to give you a comprehensive overview.

Texas (TX) has a median household income of $67,321 with a cost of living index of 93.9. North Carolina (NC) has a median household income of $60,516 with a cost of living index of 95.1.

These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Texas calculator or North Carolina calculator to model your specific financial scenario.

Data sources: Census Bureau ACS, Tax Foundation, HUD FMR, BLS. Last verified January 2026. Calculators provide estimates only — consult a qualified professional for financial advice.