Charlotte NC vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 470,763 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.7 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 13.6% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 34.1% | 27.5% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.7% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 12.7% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Raleigh
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $49,948 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $435,807 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 51.2% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Raleigh
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Raleigh
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.9% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.6% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 61.1°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 46.2 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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