Side-by-side comparison

Fairfax vs Charlotte

Cost of living comparison for Fairfax, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 28% more expensive than Charlotte. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,767/mo in Charlotte.

Rent in Fairfax vs Charlotte

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

Fairfax is $426 (27%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

Fairfax is $409 (25%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

Fairfax is $490 (27%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

Fairfax is $643 (29%) higher than Charlotte

Income & earnings in Fairfax vs Charlotte

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

Fairfax is $66,348 (79%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

Fairfax is $22,575 (46%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

Fairfax is $18,481 (36%) higher than Charlotte

Home values in Fairfax vs Charlotte

Average values and property tax.

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

Fairfax is $328,500 (88%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

Fairfax is $4,292 (154%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Fairfax vs Charlotte

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

Fairfax is $6 (4%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

Fairfax is $9 (23%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

Fairfax is $180 (8%) higher than Charlotte

Healthcare in Fairfax vs Charlotte

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax and Charlotte are about the same

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax and Charlotte are about the same

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

Charlotte is 4.2% (57%) higher than Fairfax

Taxes in Fairfax vs Charlotte

State income and sales tax.

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

Fairfax is 1.3% (28%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

Fairfax is 0.5% (12%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Charlotte is 1.3% (22%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Fairfax vs Charlotte

Commute time and travel modes.

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

Fairfax is 4.1 min (16%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

Charlotte is 4.0% (7%) higher than Fairfax

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

Fairfax is 3.4% (179%) higher than Charlotte

Monthly cost estimates in Fairfax vs Charlotte

All categories combined.

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

Fairfax is $1,041 (28%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

Fairfax is $2,246 (43%) higher than Charlotte

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

Fairfax is $2,429 (31%) higher than Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fairfax and Charlotte.

Is Fairfax or Charlotte more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia and $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina, a difference of about 28%.

What is the rent difference between Fairfax and Charlotte?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fairfax, Virginia is $2,056/mo versus $1,647/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina. Fairfax is approximately $409 (25%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fairfax or Charlotte?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year; Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year.

More on Fairfax and Charlotte

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

Fairfax 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.