Charlotte NC vs Cheyenne WY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
37.0
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 58,754 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.0 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 2.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 34.1% | 0.6% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 0.5% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 8.9% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
$69,171
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
$41,460
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $69,171 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $41,460 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 30.0% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $388,590 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Cheyenne
13.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.9% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.4% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.3% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 16.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA