CostIndexUSA

Charlotte, NC vs Glendale, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Charlotte
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
CA
Glendale
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Charlotte is significantly cheaper than Glendale — 16.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charlotte, you would need $93,400 in Glendale. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+74.6%
Charlotte
97.6
Glendale
170.4
🛒 Groceries+10.4%
Charlotte
96.6
Glendale
106.6
🚗 Transportation+6.3%
Charlotte
103.1
Glendale
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+6.2%
Charlotte
93.3
Glendale
99.1
Utilities+77.8%
Charlotte
89.2
Glendale
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Charlotte to see what you'd need to earn in Glendale to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Glendale, CA
$93,400
$13,400 more needed in Glendale

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.1675. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Charlotte, NC

Median Home Price
$380,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
97.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Glendale, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Glendale has 74.6% higher housing costs compared to Charlotte.

Income & Job Market

Charlotte, NC

Median Household Income
$81,300
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
879,709
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyEnergy

Glendale, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
196,543
Top Industries
EntertainmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Charlotte, NC
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Glendale, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.