City comparison
Washington vs Charlotte Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Charlotte (108.1).
Washington Index
142.9
Charlotte Index
108.1
Washington Rent
$3,800
Charlotte Rent
$2,325
Washington Home price
$705,000
Charlotte Home price
$406,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Charlotte.
Equivalent salary in Charlotte
$90,020
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington and Charlotte.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Washington | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 126 | -75.0 (-37.3%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 99 | -18.0 (-15.4%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 100 | -9.0 (-8.3%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 97 | -14.0 (-12.6%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 98 | -6.0 (-5.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 99 | -19.0 (-16.1%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $4,870
Washington / Charlotte
Couple
$11,160 / $8,080
Washington / Charlotte
Family
$15,720 / $11,400
Washington / Charlotte
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.