City comparison
Seattle vs Charlotte Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Seattle (137.2) and Charlotte (108.1).
Seattle Index
137.2
Charlotte Index
108.1
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Seattle to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Charlotte.
Equivalent salary in Charlotte
$89,033
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Seattle and Charlotte.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Seattle | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 184 | 126 | -58.0 (-31.5%) |
| Groceries | 118 | 99 | -19.0 (-16.1%) |
| Transportation | 113 | 100 | -13.0 (-11.5%) |
| Healthcare | 109 | 97 | -12.0 (-11.0%) |
| Utilities | 103 | 98 | -5.0 (-4.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 116 | 99 | -17.0 (-14.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,410 / $4,870
Seattle / Charlotte
Couple
$10,640 / $8,080
Seattle / Charlotte
Family
$15,000 / $11,400
Seattle / Charlotte
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.