Cost of Living in Charlotte: Updated Prices, Other States Comparison

Charlotte is the most populous city in North Carolina in the United States. Serves as the county seat of Mecklenburg County. It is the perfect place to live but before visiting this amazing state one should be aware of the cost of living in Charlotte so that they can manage their budget accordingly.

If you are deciding to relocate to Charlotte for your higher education, you should be aware of the recent statistics on the cost of living in Charlotte. In this blog, we have given the detailed average cost of living in Charlotte along with rent and other essential expenses. Let us start discussing it directly without any delay.

Cost of Living in Charlotte

Excluding rent, the average monthly cost of living for one person in Charlotte is approximately USD 1,256. However, the average rent in Charlotte ranges between USD 1400 and USD 2,400 and can vary according to a person’s budget and lifestyle.

The living expenses in Charlotte for a person depend on some essential factors, such as accommodation rent, meals and grocery prices, utility bills, recreation costs, local transport costs and a few others. Here we explain some of these categories so you can get a quick idea, please have a look at these updated costs of living in Charlotte:

Also Read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide

Costs of Accommodation in Charlotte

Charlotte is considered one of the most habitable cities in the United States. You can get a one-bedroom flat in Charlotte for around USD 1,983 rent per month for an individual in the city area, while a three-bedroom flat can cost up to USD 4,328. However, the rent of an apartment depends on its surroundings and size.

The cost of housing renting can contribute to a considerable portion of the cost of living in Charlotte. You can comprehend the average housing rent in Charlotte inside and outside the city centre by looking at the table below:

Apartment	Location	Approx Monthly Cost
Single-Bedroom Apartment	City Centre	USD 1,983
Single-bedroom Apartment	Outside the Centre	USD 1,740
Three-bedrooms Apartment	City Centre	USD 4,328
Three-bedrooms Apartment	Outside the Centre	USD 2,728

Cost of a Utility in Charlotte

For basic utilities in Charlotte, one has to pay USD 180 monthly which includes electricity, water, cooling, heating, garbage bills, etc. For your convenience, we have already counted these utility costs to the cost of living in Charlotte. In the following table, utility costs in Charlotte are given for your reference:

Utility Type	Approx Monthly Cost
Basic Utility for an apartment (Water, Electricity, Cooling, Heating and Garbage)	USD 248
Internet Plan (60 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	USD 72
Monthly Mobile Phone Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)	USD 44

Cost of Grocery in Charlotte

On average, basic items like milk, eggs, bread, and fruits and vegetables are available at local supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and speciality stores at an affordable price. However, grocery costs may fluctuate based on factors such as seasonal availability and consumer demand.

Grocery costs are primary and can affect the cost of living in Charlotte as preferences and quality may vary. For your amenity, the average price of groceries in Charlotte is shown in the table below:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Apples (1kg)	USD 6.90
Banana (1kg)	USD 1.67
Oranges (1kg)	USD 6.22
Tomato (1kg)	USD 4.60
Potato (1kg)	USD 3.47
Onion (1kg)	USD 3.45
Regular Milk (1 litre)	USD 1.05
Regular Eggs (12)	USD 3.81
Lettuce (1 head)	USD 1.80
Cheese (1kg)	USD 12.52
Rice (white), (1kg)	USD 5.28
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	USD 3.81
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	USD 1.90

Also Read: Cost of Living in Melbourne: Expense Guide 2024

Restaurant Food Costs in Charlotte 

Dining out in Charlotte offers a wide range of dining options to suit different budgets and tastes. The average cost of a meal at an affordable restaurant in Charlotte is around USD 18 and at a mid-range restaurant for 2 people, including three main courses, the average cost of a meal is around USD 80.

It’s always a good idea to check menus and prices in advance and consider any special deals or promotions available to get the best value for your dining experience in Charlotte.

Transportation Costs in Charlotte 

It is easy to get around Charlotte by public transportation such as buses, trains, cabs and airport taxis. Generally, a one-way fare in Charlotte is around USD 2.25. However, transportation costs in Charlotte depend on the type of service someone prefers and the distance of the journey. But for your reference, below we have outlined the average cost of transportation in Charlotte:

Transportation	Average cost
Local transport one-way ticket	USD 2.25
The regular price for a monthly pass	USD 120.00
The normal Tariff of Taxi Starts from	USD 5.00
Normal tariff for 1 km taxi	USD 4.97
Normal taxi fare for 1 hour Waiting	USD 36.50
1-liter gasoline	USD 0.85

Cost of Living in Charlotte Compared to Other States

Compared to many other major metropolitan areas in the United States, the cost of living in Charlotte is quite affordable. For your reference, we’ve given the cost of living in Charlotte compared to other cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Raleigh, Nashville, Houston, Denver, Jacksonville FL, Dallas, Louisville KY, and Pittsburgh PA. So to give you an idea of ​​how affordable it is to live in Charlotte compared to other countries or cities. Please have a look average cost of living in other states (without rent):

Cost of living city-wise	Approx Costs	Comparison Cost of Living in Charlotte
Cost of Living in Atlanta	USD 1,289	Higher than Charlotte
Cost of Living in Chicago	USD 1,305	Higher than Charlotte
Cost of Living in Raleigh	USD 1,304	Higher than Charlotte
Cost of Living in Nashville	USD 1,219	Lower than Charlotte
Cost of Living in Houston	USD 1,161	Lower than Charlotte
Cost of Living in Denver	USD 1,288	Higher than Charlotte
Cost of Living in Jacksonville FL	USD 1,110	Lower than Charlotte
Cost of Living in Dallas	USD 1,248	Approximately equal to Charlotte
Cost of Living in Louisville KY	USD 1,131	Lower than Charlotte
Cost of Living in Pittsburgh PA	USD 1,207	Lower than Charlotte

Average Cost of Tuition Fees in Charlotte

Prospective students need to research and compare tuition fees for their desired programs and universities in Charlotte, as well as explore financial aid options to make an informed decision about their education in Charlotte. However, Charlotte State not only has top-tier universities, but it also offers affordable living costs and a safe environment for all students.

The main expense for students is the tuition fees of Charlotte University. We bring you the average tuition fees in some of the universities in Charlotte because searching for the average tuition fees in universities in Charlotte is a difficult task for a student. Please see the table below for your reference.

Name of University in Charlotte	Approx Tuition Fees
University of North Carolina Charlotte	USD 21,338
Wingate University	USD 41,516
Davidson College	USD 60,050
Johnson C. Smith University	USD 21,714
Catawba College	USD 33,400
Winthrop University	USD 30,196

While the cost of living in Charlotte may be slightly higher than in some smaller cities, it is moderately reasonable compared to other major metropolitan centres in the United States. With careful budgeting and planning, expat students can enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Charlotte while taking advantage of the city’s amenities and opportunities.

Relevant Reads:

Cost of Living in Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide	Cost of Living in Johannesburg: Overall Expenses Guide
Cost of Living in Madagascar: A Comprehensive Guide	Cost of Living in Connecticut: Expected Expenses Guide
Cost of Living in Taipei	Cost of Living in Uruguay: A Comprehensive Guide

FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in Charlotte. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.