Side-by-side comparison

Charlotte vs Philadelphia

Cost of living comparison for Charlotte, North Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bottom line

Charlotte is approximately 11% more expensive than Philadelphia. A single person needs about $3,767/mo in Charlotte versus $3,382/mo in Philadelphia.

Rent in Charlotte vs Philadelphia

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

Philadelphia · Studio

$1,372

Charlotte is $214 (16%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

Philadelphia · 1 bedroom

$1,512

Charlotte is $135 (9%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

Philadelphia · 2 bedroom

$1,802

Charlotte is $22 (1%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

Philadelphia · 3 bedroom

$2,171

Charlotte is $79 (4%) higher than Philadelphia

Income & earnings in Charlotte vs Philadelphia

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

Philadelphia · Household income

$60,698

Charlotte is $23,067 (38%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

Philadelphia · Individual earnings

$42,478

Charlotte is $6,519 (15%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

Philadelphia · Per capita

$37,669

Charlotte is $13,821 (37%) higher than Philadelphia

Home values in Charlotte vs Philadelphia

Average values and property tax.

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

Philadelphia · Average home value

$232,400

Charlotte is $138,800 (60%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

Philadelphia · Annual property tax

$1,952

Charlotte is $828 (42%) higher than Philadelphia

Energy in Charlotte vs Philadelphia

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

Philadelphia · Monthly electricity

$143

Charlotte is $4 (3%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

Philadelphia · Monthly gas

$62

Philadelphia is $22 (55%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

Philadelphia · Annual total

$2,460

Philadelphia is $216 (10%) higher than Charlotte

Healthcare in Charlotte vs Philadelphia

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

Philadelphia · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte and Philadelphia are about the same

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

Philadelphia · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte and Philadelphia are about the same

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

Philadelphia · Uninsured rate

7.2%

Charlotte is 4.4% (61%) higher than Philadelphia

Taxes in Charlotte vs Philadelphia

State income and sales tax.

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

Philadelphia · State income tax

3.1%

Charlotte is 1.4% (47%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

Philadelphia · State sales tax

6.0%

Philadelphia is 1.3% (26%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Philadelphia · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Charlotte is 0.7% (10%) higher than Philadelphia

Transportation in Charlotte vs Philadelphia

Commute time and travel modes.

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

Philadelphia · Average commute

32.0 min

Philadelphia is 6.6 min (26%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

Philadelphia · Drive alone

46.7%

Charlotte is 15.2% (33%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

Philadelphia · Public transit

17.9%

Philadelphia is 16.0% (842%) higher than Charlotte

Monthly cost estimates in Charlotte vs Philadelphia

All categories combined.

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

Philadelphia · Single person

$3,382

Charlotte is $385 (11%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

Philadelphia · Couple

$4,560

Charlotte is $664 (15%) higher than Philadelphia

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

Philadelphia · Family

$7,059

Charlotte is $723 (10%) higher than Philadelphia

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Charlotte and Philadelphia.

Is Charlotte or Philadelphia more expensive?

Charlotte is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina and $3,382/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a difference of about 11%.

What is the rent difference between Charlotte and Philadelphia?

Average one-bedroom rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,647/mo versus $1,512/mo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Charlotte is approximately $135 (9%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Charlotte or Philadelphia?

Charlotte has the higher average household income. Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year; Philadelphia households earn approximately $60,698 per year.

More on Charlotte and Philadelphia

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

Charlotte profile Philadelphia 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.