Cost of Living in Charlotte, NC is
3.5% Higher
than the National Average

Did the Cost of Living in Charlotte, NC increase in 2024? Charlotte, NC area prices were up 1.5% from a year ago. The largest increases were found in Transportation, Food, and Housing.
By using Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator, you can make a cost of living comparison of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About Charlotte, North Carolina    Charlotte (/ˈʃɑːrlət/) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg Co....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while North Carolina's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $7.25 per hour in 2024. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Charlotte, NC

Cost of Living Calculator



Cost of Living in other Major Cities

City, State Compared to national average
City, State San Francisco, CA Compared to national average
+ 86.5%
City, State Washington, DC Compared to national average
+ 45.2%
City, State Miami, FL Compared to national average
+ 15.4%
City, State Chicago, IL Compared to national average
+ 12.4%
City, State Boston, MA Compared to national average
+ 53.1%
City, State New York, NY Compared to national average
+ 77.0%
City, State Dallas, TX Compared to national average
+ 7.0%

Cost of Living Charlotte, NC by Expense Category

Category Compared to national average
CategoryEnergy Compared to national average
-4.1%
CategoryFood Compared to national average
+ 11.1%
CategoryHealthcare Compared to national average
-5.7%
CategoryHousing Compared to national average
-2.0%
CategoryTransportation Compared to national average
+ 3.5%

Cost of Living Comparison with Charlotte, NC

If you move to Charlotte from one of these cities, you would have these the changes of your cost of living.


Move From Move To Cost Of Living Comparison
Move FromSan Francisco, CA Move ToCharlotte, NC Cost Of Living Comparision
-83.0%
Move FromWashington, DC Move ToCharlotte, NC Cost Of Living Comparision
-41.7%
Move FromMiami, FL Move ToCharlotte, NC Cost Of Living Comparision
-11.9%
Move FromChicago, IL Move ToCharlotte, NC Cost Of Living Comparision
-8.9%
Move FromBoston, MA Move ToCharlotte, NC Cost Of Living Comparision
-49.6%
Move FromNew York, NY Move ToCharlotte, NC Cost Of Living Comparision
-73.5%
Move FromDallas, TX Move ToCharlotte, NC Cost Of Living Comparision
-3.5%

Based on this cost of living comparison, you can see:
If you move from Chicago IL, Dallas, TX, or Miami, FL, the percent increase of your cost of living could be 22.8%, 37.8%, and 24.8%. Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income, so please think carefully!
If you move from New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC, the percent reduction of your cost of living could be -43.50%, -23%, and -20.10%, that's good news to you that you could be looking at a positive net change in disposable income.


About Charlotte, NC

Charlotte (/ˈʃɑːrlət/) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2017, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population was 859,035, making it the 17th-most populous city in the United States. The Charlotte metropolitan area's population ranks 22nd in the U.S., and had a 2016 population of 2,474,314. The Charlotte metropolitan area is part of a sixteen-county market region or combined statistical area with a 2016 census-estimated population of 2,632,249. Between 2004 and 2014, Charlotte was ranked as...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia


Comments about the Cost of Living in Charlotte, NC

What are the cheapest grocery stores?

Some stores like Kroger offer frequent discounts or loyalty programs that can save you even more at the checkout. Since groceries are an essential part of you cost of living, take advantage of discounts whenever you can. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Are there good recreational opportunities in or near Charlotte, NC?

I love basketball. In Charlotte, North Carolina I go to a lot of Charlotte Hornets games. The tickets are expensive and add to my entertainment expenses, increasing my cost of living, but it is worth it! It is so much fun to see my favorite team in person. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Are there any good ways to save money on Cable TV and internet service in Charlotte, NC?

The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

I am nervous about moving, what is the typical cost of moving to another city and what should I have to think about?

The average cost of moving to another state is around $5,600 for a distance of 1,200 miles. This price can vary a lot if the distance is greater and depending on how much is being moved. Even if your employer is covering the cost of a move, there will still be costs that are not covered. A cost that typically occurs is that your existing furniture and accessories are either too large, too small, or not appropriate for your new home. You may find that after you move, you will need to purchase many new items for the new location, for example, window coverings, rugs, lighting, and outdoor gear. Make sure you budget for these types of expenses and include them in the first year’s cost of living at your new location. Finally, although there is no dollar cost, is the stress of moving, which will increase if you have children or pets. Make sure you prepare in advance for what additional TLC those kids and pets will need to have a good move. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Electricity bills are a big part of my current cost of living and can be really high, what is the cost of electricity in Charlotte, North Carolina?

The current electric rate cost in Charlotte,NC is 11.07¢ / kWh, which is up compared to the rest of the United States. Energy costs in Charlotte,NC are generally going up. The cost of electricity can have a bigger than average impact of your overall cost of living if you are required to pay heating or cooling costs or, if you use an electric stove, clothes dryer, or water heater. Newer appliances are typically more energy efficient so try to replace out dated appliances with more energy efficient models. Also keep in mind, that if electric utilities are included in your rent, most likely the pricing of electricity has been added to the rent amount. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

How do rental housing prices in Charlotte,North Carolina impact the overall cost of living?

I am single and live in Charlotte,NC, I rent a small studio and the monthly rent is $1125 . Rent contributes to a large part of the overall cost of living in Charlotte,NC, I try to economize by having a small apartment. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

I need to keep my cost of living under control, is there a lot to do in Charlotte, North Carolina that is not very expensive?

Looks for areas of Charlotte, North Carolina where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Charlotte, NC to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Will I have to pay a lot in taxes if I move to Charlotte, North Carolina?

The sales tax for Charlotte is 4.75%. This is the tax that you will pay on things that you buy. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

I hate to drive in traffic, does Charlotte have traffic problems?

Overall, the time and ease of your driving times will impact your cost of living, since driving in heavy and slow moving traffic uses a lot of gas. Charlotte, North Carolina is considered one of the best cities to drive in. In fact, Charlotte, North Carolina is ranked 19 out of 100 US cities for ease of driving. Driving here could make commutes shorter and inexpensive, since you won’t be wasting gas and time sitting a traffic all the time. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

How long does it take to get to work in Charlotte, North Carolina on average?

Getting to work is important. The weather, traffic, time of year, day of week and if there are accidents, can all impact your commute time. Hopefully you will have a smooth commute in Charlotte, North Carolina, but be prepared for delays. The time you spend commuting is time you do not have to do other things, so it is valuable. The average time for commuting in Charlotte is 38.02 minutes. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Does Charlotte, North Carolina have a good climate?

The weather in Charlotte is ideal. Based on data collected by NOAA National Climatic Data Center, Charlotte is considered to have one of the most favorable climates in the country based on comfort and number of days with clear skies. You will enjoy living in Charlotte, North Carolina. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

How much is a monthly pass for public transit in Charlotte, North Carolina?

The cost of a monthly transit pass in Charlotte, NC is around $88.00. Ask your employer if they offer discounted passes to save even more money and reduce your cost of commuting and overall Cost of Living (COL). ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )


Last Update: 2024-02-26