Side-by-side comparison

Houston vs Charlotte

Cost of living comparison for Houston, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Charlotte is approximately 18% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,767/mo in Charlotte versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Houston vs Charlotte

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

Charlotte is $360 (29%) higher than Houston

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

Charlotte is $368 (29%) higher than Houston

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

Charlotte is $295 (19%) higher than Houston

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

Charlotte is $212 (10%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Houston vs Charlotte

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

Charlotte is $10,661 (15%) higher than Houston

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

Charlotte is $7,259 (17%) higher than Houston

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

Charlotte is $11,512 (29%) higher than Houston

Home values in Houston vs Charlotte

Average values and property tax.

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

Charlotte is $116,200 (46%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

Houston is $1,602 (58%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Houston vs Charlotte

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

Houston is $20 (14%) higher than Charlotte

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

Charlotte is $8 (25%) higher than Houston

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

Houston is $144 (6%) higher than Charlotte

Healthcare in Houston vs Charlotte

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

Houston and Charlotte are about the same

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

Houston and Charlotte are about the same

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

Houston is 9.6% (83%) higher than Charlotte

Taxes in Houston vs Charlotte

State income and sales tax.

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

Charlotte is 4.5% higher than Houston

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

Houston is 1.5% (32%) higher than Charlotte

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Houston is 1.2% (17%) higher than Charlotte

Transportation in Houston vs Charlotte

Commute time and travel modes.

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

Houston is 3.6 min (14%) higher than Charlotte

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

Houston is 10.5% (17%) higher than Charlotte

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

Houston is 0.2% (11%) higher than Charlotte

Monthly cost estimates in Houston vs Charlotte

All categories combined.

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

Charlotte is $582 (18%) higher than Houston

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

Charlotte is $688 (15%) higher than Houston

Houston · Family

$7,187

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

Charlotte is $595 (8%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Houston and Charlotte.

Is Houston or Charlotte more expensive?

Charlotte is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas and $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina, a difference of about 18%.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Charlotte?

Average one-bedroom rent in Houston, Texas is $1,279/mo versus $1,647/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte is approximately $368 (29%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Houston or Charlotte?

Charlotte has the higher average household income. Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year; Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year.

More on Houston and Charlotte

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

Houston 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.