City comparison
Charlotte vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Charlotte (108.1) and Austin (116.9).
Charlotte Index
108.1
Austin Index
116.9
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Austin Rent
$2,675
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Charlotte to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$93,001
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Charlotte and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Charlotte | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 126 | 146 | +20.0 (+15.9%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 103 | +4.0 (+4.0%) |
| Transportation | 100 | 102 | +2.0 (+2.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 99 | +2.0 (+2.1%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 98 | +0.0 (+0.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 104 | +5.0 (+5.1%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,870 / $5,310
Charlotte / Austin
Couple
$8,080 / $8,810
Charlotte / Austin
Family
$11,400 / $12,430
Charlotte / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Charlotte city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Charlotte.
View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
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.