Charlotte NC vs Denver 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Denver
713,734
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Denver
13.9%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 713,734 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.2 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 13.9% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 34.1% | 8.8% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.6% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $541,899 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 49.1% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Denver, 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%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.3% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 25.9% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 27.4 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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