City comparison
Charlotte vs Houston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Charlotte (108.1) and Houston (105.8).
Charlotte Index
108.1
Houston Index
105.8
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Houston Rent
$2,175
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Houston Home price
$390,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Charlotte to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Houston.
Equivalent salary in Houston
$84,170
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Charlotte and Houston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Charlotte | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 126 | 118 | -8.0 (-6.3%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 97 | -2.0 (-2.0%) |
| Transportation | 100 | 104 | +4.0 (+4.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 96 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 101 | +3.0 (+3.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 99 | +0.0 (+0.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,870 / $4,740
Charlotte / Houston
Couple
$8,080 / $7,870
Charlotte / Houston
Family
$11,400 / $11,090
Charlotte / Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Charlotte city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Charlotte.
View Houston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Houston.
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.