CostIndexUSA

Raleigh, NC vs Wichita Falls, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Raleigh
98.2
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Wichita Falls
89.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Wichita Falls is moderately cheaper than Raleigh — 8.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Raleigh, you would need $72,900 in Wichita Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing34.1%
Raleigh
103.5
Wichita Falls
68.2
🛒 Groceries2.9%
Raleigh
96.6
Wichita Falls
93.8
🚗 Transportation1.9%
Raleigh
103.1
Wichita Falls
101.1
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Raleigh
93.3
Wichita Falls
91.4
Utilities5.5%
Raleigh
89
Wichita Falls
84.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Raleigh to see what you'd need to earn in Wichita Falls to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita Falls, TX
$72,900
$7,100 less needed in Wichita Falls

Formula: salary × (89.5 ÷ 98.2) = salary × 0.9114. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Raleigh, NC

Median Home Price
$428,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
103.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.6×

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Home Price
$167,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Raleigh has 34.1% lower housing costs compared to Wichita Falls.

Income & Job Market

Raleigh, NC

Median Household Income
$96,100
Per Capita Income
$54,800
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
467,665
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareFinanceGovernment

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Household Income
$63,500
Per Capita Income
$36,200
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
104,553
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Raleigh, NC
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Wichita Falls, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.