Charlotte, North Carolina has an overall cost of living index of 97.3, which is 2.7 points below the US average of 100 — making it about average versus most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,612 per month, while the typical home is valued around $385,700. Households earn a median of $82,068 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is moderate, with an average AQI of 55. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$82,068
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,612
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$385,700
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
97.3
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
N/A
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
N/A
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
N/A
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
97.3
Goods
96.7
Rents / Housing
97.1
Services
84.8
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $133,750 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $89,150 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $55,660 |
| ⚡Electrician | $57,300 |
| 📊Accountant | $98,030 |
| 🔧Plumber | $56,310 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $312,130 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $103,430 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $138,460 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $88,320 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $123,540 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $56,440 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $117,480 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
903,844
Latest estimate
Median Age
34.5 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
55.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
39
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,690
Per month
Avg Home Value
$498,460
Census ACS
January Avg
42°F
July Avg
80°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Temperate · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
30.5
poor
Hospitals
6
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
87.2%
What is the cost of living index for Charlotte?
Charlotte has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 97.3. The US national average is 100, so Charlotte is 2.7 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Charlotte?
The median gross rent in Charlotte is $1,612 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Charlotte?
The median household income in Charlotte is $82,068 per year.
What is the median home value in Charlotte?
The median home value in Charlotte is $385,700 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Charlotte?
Charlotte has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 55.0, which is rated "Moderate" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Charlotte?
Tax data for North Carolina is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
