Charlotte NC vs Concord NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Concord
106,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Concord
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Concord
36.2
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Concord
12.5%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Concord
54.7%
Concord +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Concord
22.1%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Concord
15.8%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Concord
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 106,518 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 36.2 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 12.5% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 54.7% | Concord + |
| Black | 34.1% | 22.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 6.7% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 15.8% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Concord
$40,763
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Concord
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Concord
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Concord
41.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $84,752 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $40,763 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 8.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 41.7% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $384,688 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 66.4% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Concord
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Concord
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Concord
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Concord
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Concord
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Concord
12.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.5% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.6% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.2% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.5% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Concord
60.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Concord
45.9 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 60.4°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 45.9 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Concord
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Concord
29.7 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 29.7 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Concord 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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