Chicago vs Charlotte
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Chicago, IL and Charlotte, NC.
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
Charlotte, NC
COL Index
98
Monthly Budget
$4,900
State Tax
4.0%
Population
1.0M
Chicago is 9% more expensive than Charlotte
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Chicago | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,823 | $1,601 | +$222 |
| Groceries | $686 | $640 | +$46 |
| Transport | $850 | $786 | +$64 |
| Healthcare | $420 | $394 | +$26 |
| Utilities | $321 | $294 | +$27 |
| Other | $1,267 | $1,181 | +$86 |
| Total | $5,350 | $4,900 | +$450 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Chicago (IL) | Charlotte (NC) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $4,950 | $3,990 | +$960 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $25,770 | $24,810 | +$960 |
| Take-Home Pay | $74,230 | $75,190 | -$960 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Chicago salary is worth in Charlotte (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Chicago Salary | Equivalent in Charlotte | Charlotte Salary | Equivalent in Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $45,794 | $50,000 | $54,592 |
| $75,000 | $68,692 | $75,000 | $81,888 |
| $100,000 | $91,589 | $100,000 | $109,184 |
| $150,000 | $137,383 | $150,000 | $163,776 |