City comparison
Austin vs Charlotte Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Austin (116.9) and Charlotte (108.1).
Austin Index
116.9
Charlotte Index
108.1
Austin Rent
$2,675
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Austin Home price
$484,000
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Austin to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Charlotte.
Equivalent salary in Charlotte
$86,924
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Austin and Charlotte.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Austin | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 146 | 126 | -20.0 (-13.7%) |
| Groceries | 103 | 99 | -4.0 (-3.9%) |
| Transportation | 102 | 100 | -2.0 (-2.0%) |
| Healthcare | 99 | 97 | -2.0 (-2.0%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 98 | +0.0 (+0.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 104 | 99 | -5.0 (-4.8%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,310 / $4,870
Austin / Charlotte
Couple
$8,810 / $8,080
Austin / Charlotte
Family
$12,430 / $11,400
Austin / Charlotte
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
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.