Charlotte NC vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Reno
16.1%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 268,959 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.3 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 16.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 34.1% | 3.2% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $45,180 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.0% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 12.5% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 35.7% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $570,934 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 49.4% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.5% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.9% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.8% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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