Charlotte NC vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Yonkers
209,529
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Yonkers
5.1%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 209,529 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 39.0 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 41.5% | 38.0% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 17.3% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 5.1% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Yonkers
$42,770
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Yonkers
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $42,770 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 14.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 35.2% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $685,544 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 47.2% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Yonkers
11.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 37.5 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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