City comparison
Charlotte vs Portland Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Charlotte (108.1) and Portland (120.2).
Charlotte Index
108.1
Portland Index
120.2
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Portland Rent
$2,675
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Portland Home price
$500,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Charlotte to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Portland.
Equivalent salary in Portland
$95,626
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Charlotte and Portland.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Charlotte | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 126 | 145 | +19.0 (+15.1%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 112 | +13.0 (+13.1%) |
| Transportation | 100 | 107 | +7.0 (+7.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 104 | +7.0 (+7.2%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 101 | +3.0 (+3.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 109 | +10.0 (+10.1%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,870 / $5,440
Charlotte / Portland
Couple
$8,080 / $9,030
Charlotte / Portland
Family
$11,400 / $12,730
Charlotte / Portland
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Charlotte city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Charlotte.
View Portland city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Portland.
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.