CostIndexUSA

Charlotte, NC vs Redding, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Charlotte
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
CA
Redding
100.7
overall index
$1,600/mo rent

Charlotte is slightly cheaper than Redding — 3.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charlotte, you would need $82,800 in Redding. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing8.4%
Charlotte
97.6
Redding
89.4
🛒 Groceries+8.9%
Charlotte
96.6
Redding
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.1%
Charlotte
103.1
Redding
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.1%
Charlotte
93.3
Redding
95.3
Utilities+76.8%
Charlotte
89.2
Redding
157.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Redding, CA
$82,800
$2,800 more needed in Redding

Formula: salary × (100.7 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.0349. 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×

Redding, CA

Median Home Price
$362,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Housing Index
89.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

Charlotte has 8.4% lower housing costs compared to Redding.

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

Redding, CA

Median Household Income
$75,900
Per Capita Income
$43,300
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
91,305
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturingEducation

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)

Redding, CA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.