Charlotte NC vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
New York
35.9%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.0 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 41.5% | 35.9% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 22.7% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.7% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 17.4% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 41.0% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $816,078 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 32.8% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
New York
11.4%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.9% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 46.6 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 44.2 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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