Side-by-side comparison

Charlotte vs Riverside

Cost of living comparison for Charlotte, North Carolina and Riverside, California.

Bottom line

Riverside is approximately 5% more expensive than Charlotte. A single person needs about $3,947/mo in Riverside versus $3,767/mo in Charlotte.

Rent in Charlotte vs Riverside

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

Riverside · Studio

$1,776

Riverside is $190 (12%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

Riverside · 1 bedroom

$1,852

Riverside is $205 (12%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

Riverside · 2 bedroom

$2,306

Riverside is $482 (26%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

Riverside · 3 bedroom

$3,079

Riverside is $829 (37%) higher than Charlotte

Income & earnings in Charlotte vs Riverside

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

Riverside · Household income

$89,672

Riverside is $5,907 (7%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

Riverside · Individual earnings

$42,131

Charlotte is $6,866 (16%) higher than Riverside

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

Riverside · Per capita

$37,162

Charlotte is $14,328 (39%) higher than Riverside

Home values in Charlotte vs Riverside

Average values and property tax.

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

Riverside · Average home value

$510,300

Riverside is $139,100 (37%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

Riverside · Annual property tax

$4,189

Riverside is $1,409 (51%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Charlotte vs Riverside

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

Riverside · Monthly electricity

$167

Riverside is $20 (14%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

Riverside · Monthly gas

$50

Riverside is $10 (25%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

Riverside · Annual total

$2,604

Riverside is $360 (16%) higher than Charlotte

Healthcare in Charlotte vs Riverside

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

Riverside · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte and Riverside are about the same

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

Riverside · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte and Riverside are about the same

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

Riverside · Uninsured rate

8.0%

Charlotte is 3.6% (45%) higher than Riverside

Taxes in Charlotte vs Riverside

State income and sales tax.

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

Riverside · State income tax

13.3%

Riverside is 8.8% (196%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

Riverside · State sales tax

7.3%

Riverside is 2.5% (53%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Riverside · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Riverside is 1.8% (26%) higher than Charlotte

Transportation in Charlotte vs Riverside

Commute time and travel modes.

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

Riverside · Average commute

33.8 min

Riverside is 8.4 min (33%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

Riverside · Drive alone

74.6%

Riverside is 12.7% (21%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

Riverside · Public transit

0.7%

Charlotte is 1.2% (171%) higher than Riverside

Monthly cost estimates in Charlotte vs Riverside

All categories combined.

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

Riverside · Single person

$3,947

Riverside is $180 (5%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

Riverside · Couple

$6,132

Riverside is $908 (17%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

Riverside · Family

$9,112

Riverside is $1,330 (17%) higher than Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Charlotte and Riverside.

Is Charlotte or Riverside more expensive?

Riverside is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina and $3,947/mo in Riverside, California, a difference of about 5%.

What is the rent difference between Charlotte and Riverside?

Average one-bedroom rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,647/mo versus $1,852/mo in Riverside, California. Riverside is approximately $205 (12%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Charlotte or Riverside?

Riverside has the higher average household income. Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year; Riverside households earn approximately $89,672 per year.

More on Charlotte and Riverside

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

Charlotte profile Riverside 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.