Side-by-side comparison

Charlotte vs San Diego

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

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 20% more expensive than Charlotte. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,767/mo in Charlotte.

Rent in Charlotte vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $559 (35%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $681 (41%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $1,057 (58%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $1,602 (71%) higher than Charlotte

Income & earnings in Charlotte vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $18,520 (22%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $555 (1%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

Charlotte is $1,599 (3%) higher than San Diego

Home values in Charlotte vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $420,400 (113%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

San Diego is $2,762 (99%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Charlotte vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego is $20 (14%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

San Diego is $10 (25%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

San Diego is $360 (16%) higher than Charlotte

Healthcare in Charlotte vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte and San Diego are about the same

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte and San Diego are about the same

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Charlotte is 4.8% (71%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Charlotte vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

San Diego is 8.8% (196%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

San Diego is 2.5% (53%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego is 1.8% (26%) higher than Charlotte

Transportation in Charlotte vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

San Diego is 0.5 min (2%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego is 5.7% (9%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

San Diego is 0.3% (16%) higher than Charlotte

Monthly cost estimates in Charlotte vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $744 (20%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $1,717 (33%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $2,337 (30%) higher than Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Charlotte and San Diego.

Is Charlotte or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 20%.

What is the rent difference between Charlotte and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,647/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $681 (41%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Charlotte or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Charlotte and San Diego

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

Charlotte profile San Diego 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.