City comparison
Atlanta vs Charlotte Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Atlanta (110.5) and Charlotte (108.1).
Atlanta Index
110.5
Charlotte Index
108.1
Atlanta Rent
$2,375
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Atlanta Home price
$410,000
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Atlanta to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Charlotte.
Equivalent salary in Charlotte
$86,089
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Atlanta and Charlotte.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Atlanta | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 129 | 126 | -3.0 (-2.3%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 99 | -2.0 (-2.0%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 100 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 97 | +0.0 (+0.0%) |
| Utilities | 100 | 98 | -2.0 (-2.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 102 | 99 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,990 / $4,870
Atlanta / Charlotte
Couple
$8,280 / $8,080
Atlanta / Charlotte
Family
$11,680 / $11,400
Atlanta / Charlotte
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Atlanta city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Atlanta.
View Charlotte city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Charlotte.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.