Charlotte NC vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 115,546 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.5 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 8.2% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 34.1% | 1.2% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.7% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 44.0% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $528,447 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 18.7% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 28.6 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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