Cost of Living Comparison
Chicago vs Charlotte
How does the cost of living in Chicago, IL stack up against Charlotte, NC?
lower cost of living in Charlotte vs Chicago
Median home: $365K → $405K
What this means moving from Chicago to Charlotte
Salary equivalent. A $100,000 salary in Chicago supports roughly the same standard of living as $85K in Charlotte, based on Chicago’s overall index of 117 against Charlotte’s baseline of 100.
Housing budget. The median home in Charlotte runs about $405K versus $365K in Chicago — roughly $40K more to buy in at the middle of the market.
Where the gap is widest. Housing shows the biggest difference of the four categories: Chicago sits at 130 against Charlotte’s 100, a 30-point premium.
Indices relative to Charlotte = 100. Sourced from Numbeo & BestPlaces (2024 public data). Treat as directional estimates.
Mike Perlosky, REALTOR®
NC Real Estate License #292411
Christie’s International Real Estate
Ivester Jackson
1515 Mockingbird Lane Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28209
Office: 704.817.9826·Direct: 704.771.0130
Mike Perlosky is a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina. Christie’s International Real Estate | Ivester Jackson supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Not intended to solicit properties already listed.