Cost of Living: Boston vs Charlotte (2026)

Boston vs Charlotte cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Charlotte is about 10% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $89,916 in Charlotte.

Charlotte is about 10% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $89,916 in Charlotte.

Boston vs Charlotte: the numbers

MetricBostonCharlotteDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10897-10%
Median rent$2,093$1,504-28%
Median home value$710,400$351,500-51%
Median household income$94,755$78,438-17%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Boston has the same buying power as about $89,916 in Charlotte. Going the other way, $100,000 in Charlotte is like $111,215 in Boston.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Boston and Charlotte.

Compare any salary: Boston vs Charlotte

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 108 vs 97 — a 10% difference. Your money goes further in Charlotte.

About $89,916 — that's what you'd need in Charlotte to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.