Cost of Living: Charlotte vs Philadelphia (2026)

Charlotte vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 5% more expensive than Charlotte overall — $100,000 in Charlotte is worth about $105,348 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 5% more expensive than Charlotte overall — $100,000 in Charlotte is worth about $105,348 in Philadelphia.

Charlotte vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricCharlottePhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)97103+5%
Median rent$1,504$1,323-12%
Median home value$351,500$232,400-34%
Median household income$78,438$60,698-23%

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 $105,348 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $94,924 in Charlotte.

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

Compare any salary: Charlotte vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 97 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in Charlotte.

About $105,348 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Charlotte.