City comparison
Boston vs Charlotte Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Boston (144.3) and Charlotte (108.1).
Boston Index
144.3
Charlotte Index
108.1
Boston Rent
$3,775
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Boston Home price
$722,000
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Boston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Charlotte.
Equivalent salary in Charlotte
$89,896
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Boston and Charlotte.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Boston | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 198 | 126 | -72.0 (-36.4%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 99 | -23.0 (-18.9%) |
| Transportation | 114 | 100 | -14.0 (-12.3%) |
| Healthcare | 113 | 97 | -16.0 (-14.2%) |
| Utilities | 106 | 98 | -8.0 (-7.5%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 99 | -22.0 (-18.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,790 / $4,870
Boston / Charlotte
Couple
$11,270 / $8,080
Boston / Charlotte
Family
$15,890 / $11,400
Boston / Charlotte
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
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.