Charlotte NC vs Plymouth 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 79,526 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 40.7 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 13.6% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 34.1% | 5.0% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 4.7% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $514,358 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.5% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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