Houston vs Charlotte
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Houston, TX and Charlotte, NC.
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.4M
Charlotte, NC
COL Index
98
Monthly Budget
$4,900
State Tax
4.0%
Population
1.0M
Houston is 2% less expensive than Charlotte
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Houston | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,551 | $1,601 | -$50 |
| Groceries | $629 | $640 | -$11 |
| Transport | $771 | $786 | -$15 |
| Healthcare | $389 | $394 | -$5 |
| Utilities | $288 | $294 | -$6 |
| Other | $1,162 | $1,181 | -$19 |
| Total | $4,800 | $4,900 | -$100 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Houston (TX) | Charlotte (NC) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $0 | $3,990 | -$3,990 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $20,820 | $24,810 | -$3,990 |
| Take-Home Pay | $79,180 | $75,190 | +$3,990 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Houston salary is worth in Charlotte (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Houston Salary | Equivalent in Charlotte | Charlotte Salary | Equivalent in Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $51,042 | $50,000 | $48,980 |
| $75,000 | $76,563 | $75,000 | $73,469 |
| $100,000 | $102,083 | $100,000 | $97,959 |
| $150,000 | $153,125 | $150,000 | $146,939 |