Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Charlotte

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Charlotte is approximately 2% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $3,767/mo in Charlotte versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Charlotte

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

Charlotte is $128 (9%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

Charlotte is $87 (6%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

Charlotte is $63 (4%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

Chicago is $12 (1%) higher than Charlotte

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Charlotte

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

Charlotte is $1,968 (2%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

Chicago is $301 (1%) higher than Charlotte

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

Charlotte is $3,689 (8%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs Charlotte

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

Charlotte is $66,000 (22%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

Chicago is $3,273 (118%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Chicago vs Charlotte

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

Charlotte is $31 (27%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

Chicago is $21 (53%) higher than Charlotte

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

Charlotte is $120 (6%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Charlotte

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Charlotte are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Charlotte are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

Charlotte is 2.6% (29%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Chicago vs Charlotte

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

Chicago is 0.5% (10%) higher than Charlotte

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

Chicago is 1.5% (32%) higher than Charlotte

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Chicago is 1.8% (26%) higher than Charlotte

Transportation in Chicago vs Charlotte

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

Chicago is 6.5 min (26%) higher than Charlotte

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

Charlotte is 5.7% (10%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

Chicago is 11.1% (584%) higher than Charlotte

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Charlotte

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

Charlotte is $60 (2%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

Charlotte is $59 (1%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

Chicago is $29 (0%) higher than Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Charlotte.

Is Chicago or Charlotte more expensive?

Charlotte is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina, a difference of about 2%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Charlotte?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,647/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte is approximately $87 (6%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Charlotte?

Charlotte has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year.

More on Chicago and Charlotte

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Charlotte profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.