City comparison
Chicago vs Charlotte Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Charlotte (108.1).
Chicago Index
113.6
Charlotte Index
108.1
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Charlotte.
Equivalent salary in Charlotte
$86,594
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Charlotte.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Chicago | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 128 | 126 | -2.0 (-1.6%) |
| Groceries | 106 | 99 | -7.0 (-6.6%) |
| Transportation | 112 | 100 | -12.0 (-10.7%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 97 | -7.0 (-6.7%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 98 | -3.0 (-3.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 105 | 99 | -6.0 (-5.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,130 / $4,870
Chicago / Charlotte
Couple
$8,520 / $8,080
Chicago / Charlotte
Family
$12,000 / $11,400
Chicago / Charlotte
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
View Charlotte city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Charlotte.
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.