Side-by-side comparison

Charlotte vs Detroit

Cost of living comparison for Charlotte, North Carolina and Detroit, Michigan.

Bottom line

Charlotte is approximately 22% more expensive than Detroit. A single person needs about $3,767/mo in Charlotte versus $3,088/mo in Detroit.

Rent in Charlotte vs Detroit

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Charlotte · Studio

$1,586

Detroit · Studio

$991

Charlotte is $595 (60%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · 1 bedroom

$1,647

Detroit · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Charlotte is $557 (51%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · 2 bedroom

$1,824

Detroit · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Charlotte is $446 (32%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · 3 bedroom

$2,250

Detroit · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Charlotte is $562 (33%) higher than Detroit

Income & earnings in Charlotte vs Detroit

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Charlotte · Household income

$83,765

Detroit · Household income

$59,521

Charlotte is $24,244 (41%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · Individual earnings

$48,997

Detroit · Individual earnings

$39,979

Charlotte is $9,018 (23%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · Per capita

$51,490

Detroit · Per capita

$33,956

Charlotte is $17,534 (52%) higher than Detroit

Home values in Charlotte vs Detroit

Average values and property tax.

Charlotte · Average home value

$371,200

Detroit · Average home value

$170,200

Charlotte is $201,000 (118%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · Annual property tax

$2,780

Detroit · Annual property tax

$2,794

Detroit is $14 (1%) higher than Charlotte

Energy in Charlotte vs Detroit

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Charlotte · Monthly electricity

$147

Detroit · Monthly electricity

$128

Charlotte is $19 (15%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · Monthly gas

$40

Detroit · Monthly gas

$63

Detroit is $23 (57%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Annual total

$2,244

Detroit · Annual total

$2,292

Detroit is $48 (2%) higher than Charlotte

Healthcare in Charlotte vs Detroit

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Charlotte · Individual premium

$480

Detroit · Individual premium

$480

Charlotte and Detroit are about the same

Charlotte · Family premium

$1,350

Detroit · Family premium

$1,350

Charlotte and Detroit are about the same

Charlotte · Uninsured rate

11.6%

Detroit · Uninsured rate

5.7%

Charlotte is 5.9% (104%) higher than Detroit

Taxes in Charlotte vs Detroit

State income and sales tax.

Charlotte · State income tax

4.5%

Detroit · State income tax

4.3%

Charlotte is 0.3% (6%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · State sales tax

4.8%

Detroit · State sales tax

6.0%

Detroit is 1.3% (26%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Detroit · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Charlotte is 1.0% (17%) higher than Detroit

Transportation in Charlotte vs Detroit

Commute time and travel modes.

Charlotte · Average commute

25.4 min

Detroit · Average commute

25.0 min

Charlotte is 0.4 min (2%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · Drive alone

61.9%

Detroit · Drive alone

73.0%

Detroit is 11.1% (18%) higher than Charlotte

Charlotte · Public transit

1.9%

Detroit · Public transit

2.2%

Detroit is 0.3% (16%) higher than Charlotte

Monthly cost estimates in Charlotte vs Detroit

All categories combined.

Charlotte · Single person

$3,767

Detroit · Single person

$3,088

Charlotte is $679 (22%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · Couple

$5,224

Detroit · Couple

$4,346

Charlotte is $878 (20%) higher than Detroit

Charlotte · Family

$7,782

Detroit · Family

$6,789

Charlotte is $993 (15%) higher than Detroit

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Charlotte and Detroit.

Is Charlotte or Detroit more expensive?

Charlotte is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,767/mo in Charlotte, North Carolina and $3,088/mo in Detroit, Michigan, a difference of about 22%.

What is the rent difference between Charlotte and Detroit?

Average one-bedroom rent in Charlotte, North Carolina is $1,647/mo versus $1,090/mo in Detroit, Michigan. Charlotte is approximately $557 (51%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Charlotte or Detroit?

Charlotte has the higher average household income. Charlotte households earn approximately $83,765 per year; Detroit households earn approximately $59,521 per year.

More on Charlotte and Detroit

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

Charlotte profile Detroit 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.