Rows tagged local are specific to Charlotte (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Charlotte, NC. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district 3702970 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
97.3
metro-area
#116 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
96.7
metro-area
#105 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.54
metro-area
#115 of 200
Median household income
$74,070
local
#76 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$45,128
local
#56 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.74%
local
#69 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+5.9%
local
#27 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$312,800
local
#131 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.2×
local
#123 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
-0.4%
metro-area
#142 of 200
Price per square foot
$156
local
#108 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,399
local
#125 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
13,321
Median days on market
20
metro-area
#114 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.9%
state
#88 of 200
Combined sales tax
6.98%
state
#55 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
4.25%
Capital gains tax
4.25%
state
#78 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.82%
local
#65 of 200
Median property tax paid
$2,572
local
#67 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#58 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$130
state
#107 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.10% of value (~$308/yr)
state
#146 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
12
Avg commute to work
25 min
local
#153 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
16.3¢/kWh
state
#72 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$146
state
#72 of 200
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#69 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#36 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$80
state
#106 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#110 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#120 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
53
metro-area
#157 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,600
metro-area
#119 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,400
metro-area
#85 of 200
Avg summer high
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200
Avg winter low
30°F
metro-area
#89 of 200
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200
Annual snowfall
3.5"
metro-area
#80 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
62%
metro-area
#64 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
7b
Frost window
04-01 → 11-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
400
state
#100 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,200
state
#98 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
64
metro-area
#100 of 200
Parks
65
Hiking areas
44
Golf courses
34
Shooting ranges
13
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.