Charlotte NC vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.7 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 41.5% | 39.1% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 28.4% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Chicago
$48,148
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $75,134 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $48,148 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 16.8% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 43.3% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 45.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.6% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.0% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.6% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.0% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 36.5 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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