Cost of Living in Charlotte, MI

Population 9,269 · Michigan · Data vintage 2023

51
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Charlotte is a smaller Michigan community of around 9000 residents, where median household incomes of $63,385 and housing costs ($141,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 15 miles southwest of Lansing, Charlotte falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 18% higher than Lansing's $119,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 46
Rent 59

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Charlotte

The median home value in Charlotte is $140,500 — 54% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $779/month, 41% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $63,385/year is 15% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.2%, above the national average of 4.8%. Michigan's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. The climate averages highs of 57.9°F and lows of 39.2°F, with about 50.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Charlotte has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$140,500
54% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$230,369
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$779/mo
41% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.5%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$707
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$962
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR
$1,444
Owner-occupied 66.8%
Renter-occupied 33.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$779
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,393/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
21.5 min
20% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.9%
Carpooled
9.1%
Public transit
0.6%
Walked
3.8%
Bicycle
2.1%
Work from home
11.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.3%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 1.5%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$63,385
15% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,059
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
8% above avg
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Labor Force Participation
60.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.3%
Graduate degree 4.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.9
Male median age 35.6
Female median age 36.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
57.9°F
Avg Low
39.2°F
Annual Precip
33.3"
Annual Snowfall
50.2"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313444586979838174614736
Low °F 171826364857616052413223
Precip" 2.061.712.133.263.663.762.943.482.813.162.461.90
Snow" 14.312.95.91.70.00.00.00.00.00.23.911.3

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
2,530
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Charlotte, MI?

Charlotte has a cost index of 51 (100 = national average). It is 49% below the national average.

What is average rent in Charlotte, MI?

The median gross rent in Charlotte is $779 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Charlotte?

The median home value in Charlotte is $140,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Charlotte?

The median household income in Charlotte is $63,385 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Charlotte, MI?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Charlotte is 6.0%. The Michigan state income tax top rate is 4.3%.

Is Charlotte, MI affordable?

Yes, Charlotte is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 51 — about 49% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Charlotte?

Charlotte has average high temperatures of 57.9°F and average lows of 39.2°F. Annual precipitation is 33.3". Average annual snowfall is 50.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Charlotte at a Glance

Population
9,269
Median Income
$63,385
Home Value
$140,500
Median Rent
$779/mo
Unemployment
5.2%
Avg High Temp
57.9°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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🗺️ County data for Michigan

Explore county-level cost of living data

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