Charlotte NC vs Concord CA — 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%
Concord, CA
California · Population: 124,260
- Median HH Income$109,195
- Median Home Price$739,280
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Concord
124,260
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Concord
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Concord
38.6
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Concord
25.6%
Concord +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Concord
48.1%
Concord +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Concord
3.9%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Concord
13.5%
Concord +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Concord
32.3%
Concord +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Concord
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 124,260 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.6 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 25.6% | Concord + |
| White | 41.5% | 48.1% | Concord + |
| Black | 34.1% | 3.9% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 13.5% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 32.3% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Concord
$109,195
Concord +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Concord
$49,514
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Concord
$77,230
Concord +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Concord
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Concord
8.9%
Concord +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Concord
37.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $109,195 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $49,514 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 8.9% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 37.8% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Concord
$739,280
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Concord
61.4%
Concord +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $739,280 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 61.4% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Concord
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Concord
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Concord
29.1%
Concord +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Concord
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Concord
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Concord
9.3%
Concord +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Concord
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Concord
10.4%
Concord +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 29.1% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.6% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.3% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.2% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.4% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Concord
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Concord
18.1 in
Concord +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 61.7°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 18.1 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Concord
7.9 µg/m³
Concord +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Concord
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Concord
34.9 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 34.9 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $109,195, 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 503 in Concord. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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