City comparison
Charlotte vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Charlotte (108.1) and Washington (142.9).
Charlotte Index
108.1
Washington Index
142.9
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Washington Rent
$3,800
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Charlotte to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$113,685
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Charlotte and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Charlotte | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 126 | 201 | +75.0 (+59.5%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 117 | +18.0 (+18.2%) |
| Transportation | 100 | 109 | +9.0 (+9.0%) |
| Healthcare | 97 | 111 | +14.0 (+14.4%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 104 | +6.0 (+6.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 99 | 118 | +19.0 (+19.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,870 / $6,720
Charlotte / Washington
Couple
$8,080 / $11,160
Charlotte / Washington
Family
$11,400 / $15,720
Charlotte / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Charlotte city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Charlotte.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.