Charlotte NC vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 543,348 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.6 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 13.7% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 34.1% | 5.0% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.1% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Tucson
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $54,546 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $31,152 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 18.8% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 30.2% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.5% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.3% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.7% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.5% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 69.8°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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