City comparison
Charlotte vs Tampa Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Charlotte (108.1) and Tampa (109.3).
Charlotte Index
108.1
Tampa Index
109.3
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Tampa Rent
$2,350
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Tampa Home price
$422,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Charlotte to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Tampa.
Equivalent salary in Tampa
$86,955
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Charlotte and Tampa.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Charlotte | Tampa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 126 | 127 | +1.0 (+0.8%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Transportation | 100 | 99 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 99 | +2.0 (+2.1%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 104 | +6.0 (+6.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 100 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,870 / $4,930
Charlotte / Tampa
Couple
$8,080 / $8,180
Charlotte / Tampa
Family
$11,400 / $11,540
Charlotte / Tampa
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Charlotte city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Charlotte.
View Tampa city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Tampa.
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.