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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Charlotte, NC: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

2.7% below

Cost of living in Charlotte is 2.7% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area (index 97.3; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Charlotte is $1,720 a month.

Cost of living in Charlotte by category

Overall prices

97.3U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−2.7% vs. U.S.

Goods
96.6 −3.4%
Housing (rents)
97.6 −2.4%
Utilities
89.2 −10.8%
Other services
98.2 −1.8%

BEA 2024 · Charlotte metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,720/mo

Median gross rent

+16% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,529 +18% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,739 +17% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,969 +17% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$431,900 +20% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,029 About the same as U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$152/mo

Average electric bill

About the same as U.S.

Electricity price
15.2¢/kWh −17% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$25.19/Mcf +30% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
89.2

EIA July 2026 · North Carolina statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

25.3min

Mean travel time to work

−7% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
58%
Work from home
25%
Gasoline (PADD 1C avg.)
$4.07/gal −7% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$284/wk

Center care, infant

+64% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$251/wk +64% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$171/wk +19% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$189/wk +32% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Mecklenburg County Details: Child care

Income

$86,416/yr

Median household income

+6% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
24%
Home value to income
5.0×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Charlotte

Median gross rent in Charlotte is $1,720 a month, 16% above the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,500–$1,999 range, which holds 35.3% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 30.2% pay $2,000 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $431,900, and 12.6% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Charlotte vs. North Carolina vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Charlotte: $1,720; North Carolina: $1,338; U.S.: $1,487 Charlotte $1,720 North Carolina $1,338 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Charlotte: $2,029; North Carolina: $1,747; U.S.: $2,035 Charlotte $2,029 North Carolina $1,747 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Charlotte: $431,900; North Carolina: $333,000; U.S.: $360,600 Charlotte $431,900 North Carolina $333,000 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureCharlotteNorth CarolinaU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,720$1,338$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,029$1,747$2,035
Median home value$431,900$333,000$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Charlotte

What renters pay in Charlotte Share of renter households paying cash rent in Charlotte by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 2.5%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 2.3%. Median $1,720. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Less than $500: 2.5% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 3% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 4.2% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 9.5% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 15.3% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 35.3% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 19.3% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 6.8% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 1.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 2.3% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,720 (Charlotte) 35.3%
Show the data table
RangeCharlotteU.S.
Less than $5002.5%6.1%
$500–$7493%6.8%
$750–$9994.2%11.5%
$1,000–$1,2499.5%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49915.3%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99935.3%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49919.3%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9996.8%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4991.8%3.2%
$3,500 or more2.3%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Charlotte

Home values in Charlotte Share of owner-occupied homes in Charlotte by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 3.5%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 6%. Median $431,900. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $100,000: 3.5% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 0.6% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 5.3% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 8.2% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 24.7% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 16.2% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 18.4% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 8% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 6.6% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 6% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $431,900 (Charlotte) 24.7%
Show the data table
RangeCharlotteU.S.
Less than $100,0003.5%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9990.6%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9992.4%7.5%
$200,000–$249,9995.3%8.4%
$250,000–$299,9998.2%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99924.7%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99916.2%12%
$500,000–$749,99918.4%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9998%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9996.6%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more6%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Charlotte

Measure Charlotte North Carolina U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,720$1,338$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,529$1,274$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,739$1,277$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,969$1,422$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,029$1,747$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Charlotte?

At the median, rent takes about 24% of household income in Charlotte. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $68,800 a year.

The median home is worth $431,900, or 5.0 times the median household income.

Household income in Charlotte

The median household in Charlotte earns $86,416 a year, 6% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 17.2% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 13.5% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Charlotte vs. North Carolina vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Charlotte: $86,416; North Carolina: $73,958; U.S.: $81,604 Charlotte $86,416 North Carolina $73,958 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureCharlotteNorth CarolinaU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$86,416$73,958$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Charlotte

Household income distribution in Charlotte Share of households in Charlotte by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 5.8%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 17.2%. Median $86,416. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $10,000: 5.8% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 2.6% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.3% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 2.2% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 2.3% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 3.1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 3.5% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 3.4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 7% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 8.8% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 12.6% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 9.8% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 7.3% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 9.3% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 17.2% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $86,416 (Charlotte) 17.2%
Show the data table
RangeCharlotteU.S.
Less than $10,0005.8%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9992.6%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.3%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9992.8%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9992.2%3%
$30,000–$34,9992.3%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9993.1%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9993.5%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9993.4%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9997%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9998.8%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99912.6%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9999.8%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9997.3%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9999.3%9.7%
$200,000 or more17.2%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Charlotte North Carolina U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $86,416$73,958$81,604
Median home value $431,900$333,000$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area scored 97.3 for all items. The highest category is other services at 98.2; the lowest is utilities at 89.2.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Charlotte metro area: 97.3; North Carolina: 94.3; U.S.: 100.0 Charlotte metro area 97.3 North Carolina 94.3 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Charlotte metro area: 96.6; North Carolina: 96.6; U.S.: 99.6 Charlotte metro area 96.6 North Carolina 96.6 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Charlotte metro area: 97.6; North Carolina: 81.4; U.S.: 100.6 Charlotte metro area 97.6 North Carolina 81.4 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Charlotte metro area: 89.2; North Carolina: 88.6; U.S.: 98.4 Charlotte metro area 89.2 North Carolina 88.6 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Charlotte metro area: 98.2; North Carolina: 98.2; U.S.: 100.1 Charlotte metro area 98.2 North Carolina 98.2 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureCharlotte metro areaNorth CarolinaU.S.
All items97.394.3100.0
Goods96.696.699.6
Housing (rents)97.681.4100.6
Utilities89.288.698.4
Other services98.298.2100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in North Carolina paid an average of 15.2¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $152 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $25.19 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are North Carolina averages rather than figures for Charlotte alone.

Energy prices: North Carolina vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) North Carolina: 15.2¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ North Carolina 15.2¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) North Carolina: $152; U.S.: $157 North Carolina $152 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) North Carolina: $25.19; U.S.: $19.40 North Carolina $25.19 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureNorth CarolinaU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)15.2¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$152$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$25.19$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Charlotte who commute spend an average of 25.3 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (58% of workers); 25% work from home. Gasoline in the Lower Atlantic region (PADD 1C), which includes North Carolina, averaged $4.07 a gallon for regular in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally. EIA publishes no separate North Carolina price.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Charlotte: Drove alone 58%, Carpooled 10.6%, Public transit 2.3%, Walked 2%, Bicycle 0.3%, Worked from home 25%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.8%. North Carolina: Drove alone 71.6%, Carpooled 9.1%, Public transit 0.8%, Walked 1.6%, Bicycle 0.2%, Worked from home 15.4%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.3%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Charlotte: Drove alone. Charlotte Charlotte · Drove alone: 58% 58% Charlotte · Carpooled: 10.6% Charlotte · Public transit: 2.3% Charlotte · Walked: 2% Charlotte · Bicycle: 0.3% Charlotte · Worked from home: 25% 25% Charlotte · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.8% North Carolina North Carolina · Drove alone: 71.6% 71.6% North Carolina · Carpooled: 9.1% North Carolina · Public transit: 0.8% North Carolina · Walked: 1.6% North Carolina · Bicycle: 0.2% North Carolina · Worked from home: 15.4% 15.4% North Carolina · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.3% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationCharlotteNorth CarolinaU.S.
Drove alone58%71.6%69.2%
Carpooled10.6%9.1%9.2%
Public transit2.3%0.8%3.7%
Walked2%1.6%2.4%
Bicycle0.3%0.2%0.5%
Worked from home25%15.4%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.8%1.3%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Charlotte

Travel time to work in Charlotte Share of workers who do not work from home in Charlotte by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 2%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 1.7%. Mean 25.3 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 2% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 6.2% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 12.5% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 15.2% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 17.7% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 9.8% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 15.5% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 5.1% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 4.6% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 7.1% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 2.5% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 1.7% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 25.3 min (Charlotte) 17.7%
Show the data table
RangeCharlotteU.S.
Less than 5 min2%2.8%
5–9 min6.2%9.4%
10–14 min12.5%13.1%
15–19 min15.2%15%
20–24 min17.7%14.1%
25–29 min9.8%7%
30–34 min15.5%13.7%
35–39 min5.1%3.4%
40–44 min4.6%4.1%
45–59 min7.1%8.3%
60–89 min2.5%6.3%
90 min or more1.7%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Charlotte

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $284 a week in Mecklenburg County, or $14,774 over 52 weeks. That is 64% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Mecklenburg County North Carolina (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $284$181$174
Center-based care, toddler $251$142$153
Center-based care, preschool $171$123$144
Center-based care, school-age $90$73$120
Home-based family care, infant $189$151$143
Home-based family care, toddler $180$135$132
Home-based family care, preschool $180$125$131
Home-based family care, school-age $100$86$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Charlotte prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Charlotte?

Median rent is $1,529 for a one-bedroom and $1,739 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Charlotte?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 9.7% pay less than $1,000 a month, 60.1% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 30.2% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Charlotte?

To keep the median rent of $1,720 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $68,800 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Charlotte more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area at 97.3 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 2.7% below average. Housing rents score 97.6.

How long is the average commute in Charlotte?

25.3 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Charlotte?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $284 a week in Mecklenburg County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.