Charlotte NC vs Colorado Springs CO — 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
483,099
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
35.6
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 483,099 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.6 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.4% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 34.1% | 5.8% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.0% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
41.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $44,893 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 41.9% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $451,202 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.0% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.5% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.1 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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