Side-by-side comparison

Charlotte vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Charlotte, North Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Raleigh is approximately 2% more expensive than Charlotte. A single person needs about $3,827/mo in Raleigh versus $3,767/mo in Charlotte.

Rent in Charlotte vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Charlotte is $53 (3%) higher than Raleigh

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Charlotte is $55 (3%) higher than Raleigh

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Charlotte is $61 (3%) higher than Raleigh

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Charlotte is $58 (3%) higher than Raleigh

Income & earnings in Charlotte vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Raleigh is $17,998 (21%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Raleigh is $5,715 (12%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Raleigh is $1,459 (3%) higher than Charlotte

Home values in Charlotte vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Raleigh is $51,600 (14%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Raleigh is $243 (9%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Charlotte vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Charlotte and Raleigh are about the same

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Charlotte and Raleigh are about the same

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Charlotte and Raleigh are about the same

Healthcare in Charlotte vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte and Raleigh are about the same

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte and Raleigh are about the same

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Charlotte is 3.4% (41%) higher than Raleigh

Taxes in Charlotte vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Charlotte and Raleigh are about the same

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Charlotte and Raleigh are about the same

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Charlotte and Raleigh are about the same

Transportation in Charlotte vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Charlotte is 0.1 min (0%) higher than Raleigh

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Raleigh is 2.5% (4%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Charlotte is 1.2% (171%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Charlotte vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Raleigh is $60 (2%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Raleigh is $302 (6%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Raleigh is $305 (4%) higher than Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Charlotte and Raleigh.

Is Charlotte or Raleigh more expensive?

Raleigh is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 2%.

What is the rent difference between Charlotte and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,647/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Charlotte is approximately $55 (3%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Charlotte or Raleigh?

Raleigh has the higher average household income. Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Charlotte and Raleigh

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

Charlotte profile Raleigh 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.