Side-by-side comparison

Charlotte vs Cambridge

Cost of living comparison for Charlotte, North Carolina and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Bottom line

Cambridge is approximately 17% more expensive than Charlotte. A single person needs about $4,391/mo in Cambridge versus $3,767/mo in Charlotte.

Rent in Charlotte vs Cambridge

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

Cambridge is $83 (5%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

Cambridge is $98 (6%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

Cambridge is $445 (24%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

Cambridge is $254 (11%) higher than Charlotte

Income & earnings in Charlotte vs Cambridge

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

Cambridge is $43,014 (51%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

Cambridge is $17,127 (35%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

Cambridge is $15,981 (31%) higher than Charlotte

Home values in Charlotte vs Cambridge

Average values and property tax.

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

Cambridge is $316,000 (85%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

Cambridge is $4,460 (160%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Charlotte vs Cambridge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

Cambridge is $25 (17%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

Cambridge is $34 (85%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

Cambridge is $708 (32%) higher than Charlotte

Healthcare in Charlotte vs Cambridge

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte and Cambridge are about the same

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte and Cambridge are about the same

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

Charlotte is 9.2% (383%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Charlotte vs Cambridge

State income and sales tax.

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

Cambridge is 0.5% (11%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

Cambridge is 1.5% (32%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Charlotte is 0.8% (12%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Charlotte vs Cambridge

Commute time and travel modes.

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

Cambridge is 4.6 min (18%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

Charlotte is 5.9% (11%) higher than Cambridge

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

Cambridge is 6.1% (321%) higher than Charlotte

Monthly cost estimates in Charlotte vs Cambridge

All categories combined.

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

Cambridge is $624 (17%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

Cambridge is $1,558 (30%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

Cambridge is $1,435 (18%) higher than Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Charlotte and Cambridge.

Is Charlotte or Cambridge more expensive?

Cambridge is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina and $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of about 17%.

What is the rent difference between Charlotte and Cambridge?

Average one-bedroom rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,647/mo versus $1,745/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge is approximately $98 (6%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Charlotte or Cambridge?

Cambridge has the higher average household income. Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year; Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year.

More on Charlotte and Cambridge

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

Charlotte profile Cambridge 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.