Charlotte NC vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Washington
13.3%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 672,079 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.9 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 13.3% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 39.1% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.1% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 11.6% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 14.5% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $580,173 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 41.1% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Washington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Washington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Washington, DC | 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%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 24.0% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 32.8 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Washington 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 Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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