City comparison
Charlotte vs Chicago Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Charlotte (108.1) and Chicago (113.6).
Charlotte Index
108.1
Chicago Index
113.6
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Charlotte to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Chicago.
Equivalent salary in Chicago
$90,376
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Charlotte and Chicago.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Charlotte | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 126 | 128 | +2.0 (+1.6%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 106 | +7.0 (+7.1%) |
| Transportation | 100 | 112 | +12.0 (+12.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 104 | +7.0 (+7.2%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 101 | +3.0 (+3.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 105 | +6.0 (+6.1%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,870 / $5,130
Charlotte / Chicago
Couple
$8,080 / $8,520
Charlotte / Chicago
Family
$11,400 / $12,000
Charlotte / Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Charlotte city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Charlotte.
View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
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.