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Side-by-side comparison

Charlotte vs Austin

Cost of living comparison for Charlotte, North Carolina and Austin, Texas.

Bottom line

Charlotte is approximately 2% more expensive than Austin. A single person needs about $3,767/mo in Charlotte versus $3,706/mo in Austin.

Rent in Charlotte vs Austin

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Charlotte · Studio
$1,586
Austin · Studio
$1,549
Charlotte is $37 (2%) higher than Austin
Charlotte · 1 bedroom
$1,647
Austin · 1 bedroom
$1,650
Austin is $3 (0%) higher than Charlotte
Charlotte · 2 bedroom
$1,824
Austin · 2 bedroom
$1,949
Austin is $125 (7%) higher than Charlotte
Charlotte · 3 bedroom
$2,250
Austin · 3 bedroom
$2,484
Austin is $234 (10%) higher than Charlotte

Income & earnings in Charlotte vs Austin

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Charlotte · Household income
$83,765
Austin · Household income
$97,169
Austin is $13,404 (16%) higher than Charlotte
Charlotte · Individual earnings
$48,997
Austin · Individual earnings
$55,186
Austin is $6,189 (13%) higher than Charlotte
Charlotte · Per capita
$51,490
Austin · Per capita
$59,289
Austin is $7,799 (15%) higher than Charlotte

Home values in Charlotte vs Austin

Average values and property tax.

Charlotte · Average home value
$371,200
Austin · Average home value
$487,600
Austin is $116,400 (31%) higher than Charlotte
Charlotte · Annual property tax
$2,780
Austin · Annual property tax
$7,487
Austin is $4,707 (169%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Charlotte vs Austin

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Charlotte · Monthly electricity
$147
Austin · Monthly electricity
$167
Austin is $20 (14%) higher than Charlotte
Charlotte · Monthly gas
$40
Austin · Monthly gas
$32
Charlotte is $8 (25%) higher than Austin
Charlotte · Annual total
$2,244
Austin · Annual total
$2,388
Austin is $144 (6%) higher than Charlotte

Healthcare in Charlotte vs Austin

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Charlotte · Individual premium
$480
Austin · Individual premium
$480
Charlotte and Austin are about the same
Charlotte · Family premium
$1,350
Austin · Family premium
$1,350
Charlotte and Austin are about the same
Charlotte · Uninsured rate
11.6%
Austin · Uninsured rate
12.2%
Austin is 0.6% (5%) higher than Charlotte

Taxes in Charlotte vs Austin

State income and sales tax.

Charlotte · State income tax
4.5%
Austin · State income tax
0.0%
Charlotte is 4.5% higher than Austin
Charlotte · State sales tax
4.8%
Austin · State sales tax
6.3%
Austin is 1.5% (32%) higher than Charlotte
Charlotte · Combined sales tax
7.0%
Austin · Combined sales tax
8.2%
Austin is 1.2% (17%) higher than Charlotte

Transportation in Charlotte vs Austin

Commute time and travel modes.

Charlotte · Average commute
25.4 min
Austin · Average commute
25.4 min
Charlotte and Austin are about the same
Charlotte · Drive alone
61.9%
Austin · Drive alone
59.7%
Charlotte is 2.2% (4%) higher than Austin
Charlotte · Public transit
1.9%
Austin · Public transit
1.7%
Charlotte is 0.2% (12%) higher than Austin

Monthly cost estimates in Charlotte vs Austin

All categories combined.

Charlotte · Single person
$3,767
Austin · Single person
$3,706
Charlotte is $61 (2%) higher than Austin
Charlotte · Couple
$5,224
Austin · Couple
$5,280
Austin is $56 (1%) higher than Charlotte
Charlotte · Family
$7,782
Austin · Family
$7,957
Austin is $175 (2%) higher than Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Charlotte and Austin.

Is Charlotte or Austin more expensive?

Charlotte is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina and $3,706/mo in Austin, Texas, a difference of about 2%.

What is the rent difference between Charlotte and Austin?

Average one-bedroom rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,647/mo versus $1,650/mo in Austin, Texas. Austin is approximately $3 (0%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Charlotte or Austin?

Austin has the higher average household income. Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year; Austin households earn approximately $97,169 per year.

More on Charlotte and Austin

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

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.