City comparison
Charlotte vs Phoenix Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Charlotte (108.1) and Phoenix (113.5).
Charlotte Index
108.1
Phoenix Index
113.5
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Charlotte to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Phoenix.
Equivalent salary in Phoenix
$90,296
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Charlotte and Phoenix.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Charlotte | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 126 | 136 | +10.0 (+7.9%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 101 | +2.0 (+2.0%) |
| Transportation | 100 | 103 | +3.0 (+3.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 98 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 108 | +10.0 (+10.2%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 101 | +2.0 (+2.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,870 / $5,160
Charlotte / Phoenix
Couple
$8,080 / $8,570
Charlotte / Phoenix
Family
$11,400 / $12,070
Charlotte / Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Charlotte city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Charlotte.
View Phoenix city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Phoenix.
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.