Living in Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Charlotte · Census data 2020–2024
Charlotte has 903,844 residents with a median age of 34.5. The median household income is $82,068 (13% higher than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $385,700, the median rent is $1,612/month.
Charlotte at a glance
- Population
- 903,844
- Median age
- 34.5State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $82,068State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $385,700State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,612/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 51%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 48%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Charlotte a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 13% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 11.7%.
Cons: Home values 34% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Charlotte
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Charlotte the median home value is $385,700, 16% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,612 per month, which is 29.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,821 a month in housing costs.
Charlotte median household income
The median household income in Charlotte is $82,068 and the income per person is $51,814. 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Charlotte: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 399,305
- Owner-occupied
- 51%
- Renter-occupied
- 49%
- Vacant
- 7.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1995
- Average household size
- 2.41
Charlotte demographics
- Population
- 903,844
- Median age
- 34.5
- Under 18
- 22.7%
- 65 and older
- 11%
- Households
- 368,788
- Foreign-born
- 18.7%
- Veterans
- 4.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Charlotte ›
Education in Charlotte
48% of adults 25 and older in Charlotte have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 17.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Charlotte
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 28.8%
- Drive alone
- 57.4%
- Public transit
- 1.9%
- Walk to work
- 1.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.6%
Charlotte vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 903,844 | $82,068 | $385,700 | $1,612 |
| Pineville | 11,055 | $69,354 | $395,100 | $1,552 |
| Matthews | 30,577 | $108,611 | $445,100 | $1,764 |
| Mint Hill | 27,556 | $100,860 | $428,900 | $1,528 |
| Stallings | 16,886 | $115,974 | $428,000 | $1,882 |
| Belmont | 15,546 | $94,883 | $395,000 | $1,365 |
| Mount Holly | 18,208 | $79,385 | $337,800 | $1,256 |
| Harrisburg | 19,633 | $148,254 | $478,000 | $2,640 |
| Cramerton | 5,450 | $82,160 | $343,400 | $1,364 |
More for people moving to Charlotte
Charlotte ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Charlotte: FAQ
What is the median household income in Charlotte, NC?
The median household income in Charlotte is $82,068, 13% higher than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Charlotte?
The median home value in Charlotte is $385,700, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Charlotte?
The median gross rent in Charlotte is $1,612 per month, about 29.9% of household income.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 13% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 11.7%. Minuses: home values 34% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Charlotte?
The median age in Charlotte is 34.5 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Charlotte?
The average commute to work in Charlotte is 25 minutes; 28.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Charlotte?
The unemployment rate in Charlotte is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Charlotte?
48% of adults in Charlotte have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: