Cost of Living: Charlotte vs Houston (2026)

Charlotte vs Houston cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Houston is about 1% more expensive than Charlotte overall — $100,000 in Charlotte is worth about $101,316 in Houston.

Houston is about 1% more expensive than Charlotte overall — $100,000 in Charlotte is worth about $101,316 in Houston.

Charlotte vs Houston: the numbers

MetricCharlotteHoustonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)9799+1%
Median rent$1,504$1,313-13%
Median home value$351,500$253,400-28%
Median household income$78,438$62,894-20%

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 Charlotte has the same buying power as about $101,316 in Houston. Going the other way, $100,000 in Houston is like $98,701 in Charlotte.

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

Compare any salary: Charlotte vs Houston

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 99 vs 97 — a 1% difference. Your money goes further in Charlotte.

About $101,316 — that's what you'd need in Houston to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Charlotte.