Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Charlotte.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Charlotte?
For relocators asking how much Charlotte costs: the housing index sits at 114 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $351,500 and rents near $1,504. Local median income is about $78,438 and unemployment recently ran 3.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 26 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 739.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 114U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $351,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,504U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $78,438U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 26 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 739.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 89°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Charlotte compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 943,476City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $78,438Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 114ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year14% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $351,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year16% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,504City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year12% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 26 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 2642% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 739.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)26% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3925.8annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)27% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 89°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 34°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (34°F)U.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 43.6 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals32% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 253As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Charlotte grew 27.8% from 738,444 in 2010 to 943,476 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Charlotte expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Charlotte runs 14 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 114 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $351,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,504 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Charlotte?
Budget first around $1,504/month rent or $351,500 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $351,500
- Median rent $1,504/month
- Median household income $78,438
What is the job market like in Charlotte?
Labor-market context for Charlotte: unemployment 3.7% and median income $78,438. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $78,438
How long is the typical commute in Charlotte?
Plan on roughly 26 minutes each way in Charlotte. Walk Score estimates around 26 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 26 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 26/100
Is Charlotte safer than similar U.S. cities?
Charlotte's FBI-derived violent rate (~739.4/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 739.4 per 100k
- Property 3925.8 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Charlotte?
Charlotte's climate profile: 89°F summer peaks, 34°F winter mornings, 43.6" annual rainfall, and 253 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 89°F
- Winter low 34°F
- 43.6 in rain · 253 sunny days
What nearby city comparisons involve Charlotte?
These curated pair pages put Charlotte beside another high-intent destination with the same proprietary metrics table.
Relocators eyeing Charlotte, North Carolina will find roughly 943,476 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $78,438; our housing-derived cost index is about 114 (close to the national housing-cost baseline). Budget for median rents around $1,504 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Piedmont research corridors and coastal storm exposure both matter. Pack for 89°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 34°F. Commutes average near 26 minutes one-way, with walkability near 26/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 3.7% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 739.4 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Charlotte sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Charlotte with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Charlotte city, 1600000US3712000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Mecklenburg County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013881 CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10
Canonical profile · All North Carolina cities · Full city index