Charlotte NC vs Warren MI — 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%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Warren
138,128
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Warren
13.7%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Warren
60.8%
Warren +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Warren
20.9%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 138,128 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.9 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 13.7% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 60.8% | Warren + |
| Black | 34.1% | 20.9% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 2.8% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Warren
$63,741
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Warren
$32,162
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Warren
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Warren
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Warren
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $63,741 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $32,162 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 12.8% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 20.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Warren
$200,632
Warren +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $200,632 | Warren + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Warren
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Warren
1590
Warren +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Warren
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Warren
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Warren
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Warren
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Warren
18.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.9% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.7% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.0% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Warren, MI | 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
Charlotte +
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Warren
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Warren
26.9 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 26.9 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while warren offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,632. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Warren. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte 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%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA