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Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Cost of living in Charlotte, North Carolina

Mecklenburg County, NC

Part of the Charlotte Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,767/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 1,130,906 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,647 44%
Federal tax $637 17%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $327 9%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $187 5%
State tax $184 5%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Charlotte

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,586
per month
1 bedroom
$1,647
per month
2 bedroom
$1,824
per month
3 bedroom
$2,250
per month
4 bedroom
$2,852
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Charlotte

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$83,765
per year
Individual earnings
$48,997
per year
Per capita
$51,490
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Charlotte

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$371,200
Annual property tax
$2,780

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Charlotte

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 14¢/kWh
Natural gas
$40
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Charlotte

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
11.6%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Charlotte

State and local tax rates for North Carolina.

State income tax
4.5%
Flat rate
State sales tax
4.8%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Charlotte

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
25.4 min
Drive alone
61.9%
Public transit
1.9%
Work from home
25.5%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Charlotte

What it costs to live in Charlotte each month.

Single person
$3,767
per month
  • Rent $1,647
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $637
  • State tax $184
Couple
$5,224
per month
  • Rent $1,824
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,041
  • State tax $314
Family
$7,782
per month
  • Rent $2,250
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,041
  • State tax $314

Frequently asked questions about Charlotte

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Charlotte?

In Charlotte, North Carolina, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,647 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,824 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,250 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Charlotte?

In Charlotte, North Carolina, the average household income is $83,765 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $48,997 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Charlotte?

The estimated cost of living in Charlotte, North Carolina is approximately $3,767 per month for a single person, $5,224 for a couple, $7,782 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Charlotte?

The combined sales tax rate in Charlotte, North Carolina is 7.00%, which includes the North Carolina state rate of 4.75% plus an average local rate of 2.25%.

Is Charlotte an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Charlotte, North Carolina would need approximately $3,767 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $83,765 per year ($6,980 per month). Charlotte has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Charlotte?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Charlotte, North Carolina is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 11.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Charlotte?

The average home value in Charlotte, North Carolina is $371,200, with average annual property taxes of $2,780, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Charlotte compare to other areas?

You can compare Charlotte, North Carolina with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Charlotte is in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area.

Other counties in North Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in North Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in North Carolina

Compare Charlotte with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources