Charlotte NC vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 174,693 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.9 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 41.5% | 44.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Black | 34.1% | 8.3% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $45,626 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 37.3% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $791,317 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.8% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 34.6 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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