City comparison
Charlotte vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Charlotte (108.1) and Boston (144.3).
Charlotte Index
108.1
Boston Index
144.3
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Boston Rent
$3,775
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Charlotte to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$114,799
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Charlotte and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Charlotte | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 126 | 198 | +72.0 (+57.1%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 122 | +23.0 (+23.2%) |
| Transportation | 100 | 114 | +14.0 (+14.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 113 | +16.0 (+16.5%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 106 | +8.0 (+8.2%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 121 | +22.0 (+22.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,870 / $6,790
Charlotte / Boston
Couple
$8,080 / $11,270
Charlotte / Boston
Family
$11,400 / $15,890
Charlotte / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Charlotte city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Charlotte.
View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
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.