Cost of Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Are you considering a move to Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, and wondering about the cost of living? Charlotte, North Carolina is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Charlotte, North Carolina and help you understand whether $4255 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $4907.28.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

20.0 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

80.0 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

10.0 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

6.0 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

7.0 $

Cappuccino (regular)

4.98 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

2.42 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

2.03 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.01 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

3.85 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

5.19 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

4.57 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

13.14 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

13.61 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

19.32 $

Apples (1 lb)

6.55 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.73 $

Oranges (1 lb)

5.92 $

Tomato (1 lb)

4.74 $

Potato (1 lb)

3.3 $

Onion (1 lb)

3.29 $

Lettuce (1 head)

1.8 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

1.82 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

15.0 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

2.72 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.64 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

7.6 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

2.23 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

104.0 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

5.0 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

4.97 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

35.0 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

0.87 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

29700.0 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

23848.57 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

193.58 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

76.4 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

53.0 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

30.5 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

14.99 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

1117.86 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

26000.0 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

57.59 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

42.62 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

107.08 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

144.4 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

2075.0 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

1834.73 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

4684.0 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

2942.92 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

5342.91 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

3366.18 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

4907.28 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

6.5 %

Cost of Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Charlotte, North Carolina?

The monthly expenses for living in Charlotte, North Carolina come to a total of approximately $4255. This includes an average monthly rent of around $2075 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $231 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $1286 per month.

How affordable is living in Charlotte, North Carolina?

Living in Charlotte, North Carolina appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $4907.28. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Charlotte, North Carolina, you would likely need an income exceeding $4907.28.

What is the average salary in Charlotte, North Carolina?

In Charlotte, North Carolina, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $4907.28, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Charlotte, North Carolina?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Charlotte, North Carolina is approximately $2075. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $1834.73 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Charlotte, North Carolina?

The expense for groceries in Charlotte, North Carolina can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $890 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in United States?

The cost of living in United States can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout United States.

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

How Safe Is Charlotte, North Carolina, United States for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Charlotte makes the Top 30 Places to Live, according to U.S. News & World Report, but it does have higher crime rates than the national average in every category that matters to tourists. While you can safely visit the city, we're giving this a medium risk because any large city needs to be visited using street smarts and situational awareness.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The Charlotte Area Transit System and the LYNX Light Rail are great ways to get around all the diverse communities. You can easily get taxis and rideshares or rent a car of your own. There's low risk with any option, and kudos to the transit system for having an app where passengers can report anything suspicious without taking up too much time or causing a scene.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk, with 230 pickpockets or purse snatching reported in 2020. Be sure to keep your wallet secured in a discreet place and use a crossbody purse with a zipper closure to ward off pickpockets. If you carry your wallet in your pants pockets, use the front pocket and wrap a rubber band around it to provide friction if someone tries to snag it.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Charlotte gets hurricanes or tropical weather after a storm moves inland. Hurricane season runs from June through October. Even the NHL team here is named the Hurricanes. There are severe thunderstorms here, but a tornado is fairly rare compared to other places in the south. Winter is usually quite mild, but a rogue winter storm isn't out of the question, and when it does happen, it can cripple the city.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The robbery rate is two and a half times the national average, but less than 20% of the robberies happen in public places. There's a low risk it will happen to a tourist, with petty theft much more common.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Being major transportation, distribution, and business hub in the region, there's medium risk. There's a joint city/county task force called Advanced Local Emergency Response Team (ALERT) prepared to focus on prevention and handle any issue that arises.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The typical utility and fake police officer scams happen in Charlotte. A recent trend involved a man wearing luxury jewelry scamming people after faking being broken down on the side of the road. In exchange for cash, he offered his valuable jewelry to "hold onto" until he could repay them. Yep, you guessed it - he never called. He was spotted on the side of the road, and the couple that got scammed recorded it and handed the video over to the police.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Less than half the violent crimes (44%) happen against women, and the sexual assault rate is actually lower than the national average. Despite the Southern charm and friendly community, it's still wise to avoid walking alone at night. Criminals in this area prey on the niceness of people. Keep your guard up.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

There were no violations of water quality standards at any of the three treatment plants in Charlotte Water's jurisdiction in 2021. In a new twist, you can review the highlights of the annual Water Quality Report online, but you have to scan a QR code to get detailed information.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

You should start the U.S. Visa process months ahead of time, with your first step being scheduling the embassy interview. You'll play anywhere from $160 to $190 for a visa. Take it with you on the flight as you can't get through Customs without it.

currency_exchange

Currency

You'll only be able to use the U.S. Dollar here and avoid carrying cash if you can. All businesses take some form of credit card or electronic payment.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

It's rare that Charlotte gets below freezing for an average temperature, so a warm jacket will probably get you through the winter. Summers can be humid, so plan to wear clothing that can absorb sweat without staining. This is a walkable city, so bring comfortable shoes. You'll need bug spray and sunscreen too.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is on the west side of the city and 15 minutes from Uptown.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance will give you peace of mind during your flight, road travel, and outdoor adventures.

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

What about weather in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 52°F 56°F 64°F 72°F 79°F 86°F 89°F 87°F 81°F 71°F 62°F 54°F
Temp 41°F 45°F 52°F 61°F 69°F 76°F 79°F 78°F 72°F 61°F 52°F 44°F
Low 34°F 36°F 43°F 51°F 59°F 67°F 71°F 69°F 63°F 52°F 43°F 37°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 11°C 13°C 17°C 22°C 26°C 30°C 31°C 30°C 27°C 21°C 16°C 12°C
Temp 5°C 7°C 11°C 16°C 20°C 24°C 26°C 25°C 22°C 16°C 11°C 6°C
Low 1°C 2°C 6°C 10°C 15°C 19°C 21°C 20°C 17°C 11°C 6°C 2°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in United States with Charlotte, North Carolina

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

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