Charlotte NC vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Louisville
627,210
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 627,210 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.7 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 9.8% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 34.1% | 23.7% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.6% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 8.6% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $64,731 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $38,890 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $52,606 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.0% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 16.1% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 33.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 43.3 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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