Cost of Living in Charlotte, NC
| Cost of Living in Charlotte, NC | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 5% higher | 11% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 7% lower | 9% lower |
| Food | 0% | 1% lower |
| Healthcare | 6% higher | 13% higher |
| Transportation | 1% higher | 5% lower |
| Goods & Services | 7% higher | 6% higher |
The cost of living in Charlotte, NC is 4% higher than the state average and 2% lower than the national average. Charlotte, NC housing is 11% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 9% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 6% more in Charlotte, NC than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 6% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 13% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 6% pricier in Charlotte, NC.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Charlotte is $1,670, while home prices circle around $382,775.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Charlotte, energy bills cost around $156.61 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $2.72 in Charlotte, a dozen eggs go for around $2.80 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.04.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Charlotte, an optometry check-up costs around $126.02, while a dentist appointment is priced $136.10 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.55 in Charlotte, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $54.16.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $51.19 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $40.03.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Charlotte, you should budget around $13.19 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $25.06, while dry cleaning costs about $14.44.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Charlotte, the median household income is $68,367.