Charlotte, NC vs. Chicago, IL: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Charlotte and Chicago, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 903,844 | 2,711,226 | +200.0% |
| Median household income | $82,068 | $77,902 | -5.1% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,612 | $1,440 | -10.7% |
| Median home value | $385,700 | $334,100 | -13.4% |
Difference is Chicago, IL relative to Charlotte, NC.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: North Carolina 94.3, Illinois 100.0, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Charlotte, NC buys about as much as $105,971 in Chicago, IL.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $64,480 | $57,600 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 23.6% | 22.2% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $299,379 | $284,181 |
Home price assumes 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI, 1.5%/yr taxes+insurance. Not financial advice.
Full city profiles
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.