Side-by-side comparison

Charlotte vs San Jose

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

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 55% more expensive than Charlotte. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,767/mo in Charlotte.

Rent in Charlotte vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $1,022 (64%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,328 (81%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $1,622 (89%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $2,227 (99%) higher than Charlotte

Income & earnings in Charlotte vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $75,909 (91%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $25,033 (51%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $25,528 (50%) higher than Charlotte

Home values in Charlotte vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $1,011,600 (273%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $6,986 (251%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Charlotte vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

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

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

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

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

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

Healthcare in Charlotte vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte and San Jose are about the same

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte and San Jose are about the same

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Charlotte is 7.6% (190%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Charlotte vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

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

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

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

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

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

Transportation in Charlotte vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

San Jose is 1.6 min (6%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Charlotte is 0.2% (0%) higher than San Jose

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

San Jose is 0.8% (42%) higher than Charlotte

Monthly cost estimates in Charlotte vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $2,056 (55%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $3,968 (76%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $4,648 (60%) higher than Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Charlotte and San Jose.

Is Charlotte or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 55%.

What is the rent difference between Charlotte and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,647/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,328 (81%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Charlotte or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Charlotte and San Jose

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

Charlotte profile San Jose 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.