Los Angeles, CA vs Charlotte, NC
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Charlotte runs $352,000 versus $880,000 in Los Angeles, a 60% gap that dominates most relocation math. State income-tax burden also tilts toward Charlotte — a top rate of 4.5% versus 13.3% — which compounds at higher incomes.
Median Home Value
$879,500
$351,500 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$941,985
$393,846
Median Gross Rent
$1,879/mo
$1,504/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
36.3%
51.5%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
39.0x
19.5x
Median Household Income
$80,366 ✓
$78,438
Per Capita Income
$46,270
$49,991
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
4.4% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.6%
11.7%
Avg Commute (min)
34.1 min
26.8 min
Drove Alone %
61.4%
61.0%
Public Transit %
6.7%
2.2%
Work From Home %
17.3%
25.5%
State Income Tax
13.3%
4.5%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
7.0% ✓
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
0.8%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.5%
30.4%
Median Age
36.9
34.4
Avg High Temp
70.4°F
72.2°F
Annual Precipitation
13.4"
43.6"
Annual Snowfall
—
3.5"
Los Angeles, CA 1 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
Charlotte, NC 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Unemployment Rate
Thinking about moving? See what salary you'd need in each city.
Open Cost of Living Calculator →