Side-by-side comparison

Columbus vs Charlotte

Cost of living comparison for Columbus, Ohio and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Charlotte is approximately 19% more expensive than Columbus. A single person needs about $3,767/mo in Charlotte versus $3,178/mo in Columbus.

Rent in Columbus vs Charlotte

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Columbus · Studio

$1,104

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

Charlotte is $482 (44%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 1 bedroom

$1,194

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

Charlotte is $453 (38%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 2 bedroom

$1,445

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

Charlotte is $379 (26%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · 3 bedroom

$1,741

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

Charlotte is $509 (29%) higher than Columbus

Income & earnings in Columbus vs Charlotte

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Columbus · Household income

$73,795

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

Charlotte is $9,970 (14%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Individual earnings

$45,288

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

Charlotte is $3,709 (8%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Per capita

$42,855

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

Charlotte is $8,635 (20%) higher than Columbus

Home values in Columbus vs Charlotte

Average values and property tax.

Columbus · Average home value

$265,700

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

Charlotte is $105,500 (40%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Annual property tax

$4,110

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

Columbus is $1,330 (48%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Columbus vs Charlotte

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Columbus · Monthly electricity

$131

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

Charlotte is $16 (12%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Monthly gas

$63

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

Columbus is $23 (57%) higher than Charlotte

Columbus · Annual total

$2,328

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

Columbus is $84 (4%) higher than Charlotte

Healthcare in Columbus vs Charlotte

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Columbus · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

Columbus and Charlotte are about the same

Columbus · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

Columbus and Charlotte are about the same

Columbus · Uninsured rate

8.4%

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

Charlotte is 3.2% (38%) higher than Columbus

Taxes in Columbus vs Charlotte

State income and sales tax.

Columbus · State income tax

3.5%

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

Charlotte is 1.0% (29%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · State sales tax

5.8%

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

Columbus is 1.0% (21%) higher than Charlotte

Columbus · Combined sales tax

7.2%

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Columbus is 0.2% (3%) higher than Charlotte

Transportation in Columbus vs Charlotte

Commute time and travel modes.

Columbus · Average commute

21.8 min

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

Charlotte is 3.6 min (17%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Drive alone

70.5%

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

Columbus is 8.6% (14%) higher than Charlotte

Columbus · Public transit

1.7%

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

Charlotte is 0.2% (12%) higher than Columbus

Monthly cost estimates in Columbus vs Charlotte

All categories combined.

Columbus · Single person

$3,178

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

Charlotte is $589 (19%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Couple

$4,539

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

Charlotte is $685 (15%) higher than Columbus

Columbus · Family

$6,964

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

Charlotte is $818 (12%) higher than Columbus

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Columbus and Charlotte.

Is Columbus or Charlotte more expensive?

Charlotte is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,178/mo in Columbus, Ohio and $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina, a difference of about 19%.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Charlotte?

Average one-bedroom rent in Columbus, Ohio is $1,194/mo versus $1,647/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte is approximately $453 (38%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Columbus or Charlotte?

Charlotte has the higher average household income. Columbus households earn approximately $73,795 per year; Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year.

More on Columbus and Charlotte

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

Columbus 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.