City comparison
Los Angeles vs Charlotte Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and Charlotte (108.1).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Charlotte Index
108.1
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Charlotte.
Equivalent salary in Charlotte
$90,993
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and Charlotte.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 126 | -82.0 (-39.4%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 99 | -24.0 (-19.5%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 100 | -18.0 (-15.3%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 97 | -14.0 (-12.6%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 98 | -11.0 (-10.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 99 | -22.0 (-18.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $4,870
Los Angeles / Charlotte
Couple
$11,740 / $8,080
Los Angeles / Charlotte
Family
$16,540 / $11,400
Los Angeles / Charlotte
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
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.