Charlotte NC vs Duluth MN — 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%
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Duluth
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Duluth
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Duluth
N/A
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Duluth
N/A
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Duluth
N/A
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Duluth
N/A
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Duluth
N/A
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Duluth
N/A
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 34.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Duluth
N/A
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Duluth
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Duluth
$69,467
Duluth +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Duluth
N/A
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Duluth
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Duluth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Duluth
$292,800
Duluth +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $292,800 | Duluth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Duluth
284
Duluth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Duluth
1992
Duluth +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Duluth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Duluth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Duluth
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Duluth
10.0%
Duluth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Duluth
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Duluth
20.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Duluth
15.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.0% | Duluth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.7% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.3% | Duluth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 20.1% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.1% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Duluth
39.7°F
Duluth +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Duluth
31.0 in
Duluth +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 39.7°F | Duluth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 31.0 in | Duluth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Duluth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Duluth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Duluth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Duluth
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Duluth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Duluth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $292,800. On public safety, Duluth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Duluth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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