Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Charlotte

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 22% more expensive than Charlotte. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,767/mo in Charlotte.

Rent in Seattle vs Charlotte

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

Seattle is $652 (41%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

Seattle is $646 (39%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

Seattle is $847 (46%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

Seattle is $1,271 (56%) higher than Charlotte

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Charlotte

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

Seattle is $38,383 (46%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

Seattle is $18,144 (37%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

Seattle is $19,572 (38%) higher than Charlotte

Home values in Seattle vs Charlotte

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

Seattle is $440,000 (119%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

Seattle is $4,005 (144%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Seattle vs Charlotte

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

Charlotte is $38 (35%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

Seattle is $8 (20%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

Charlotte is $360 (19%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Charlotte

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and Charlotte are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and Charlotte are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

Charlotte is 6.4% (123%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs Charlotte

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

Charlotte is 4.5% higher than Seattle

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

Seattle is 1.8% (37%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Seattle is 3.2% (46%) higher than Charlotte

Transportation in Seattle vs Charlotte

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

Seattle is 2.7 min (11%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

Charlotte is 10.1% (19%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

Seattle is 6.1% (321%) higher than Charlotte

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Charlotte

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

Seattle is $821 (22%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

Seattle is $1,200 (23%) higher than Charlotte

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

Seattle is $1,658 (21%) higher than Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Charlotte.

Is Seattle or Charlotte more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina, a difference of about 22%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Charlotte?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,647/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina. Seattle is approximately $646 (39%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Charlotte?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year.

More on Seattle and Charlotte

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

Seattle 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.