Philadelphia vs Charlotte
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Philadelphia, PA and Charlotte, NC.
Philadelphia, PA
COL Index
102
Monthly Budget
$5,100
State Tax
3.1%
Population
1.6M
Charlotte, NC
COL Index
98
Monthly Budget
$4,900
State Tax
4.0%
Population
1.0M
Philadelphia is 4% more expensive than Charlotte
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Philadelphia | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,700 | $1,601 | +$99 |
| Groceries | $660 | $640 | +$20 |
| Transport | $814 | $786 | +$28 |
| Healthcare | $406 | $394 | +$12 |
| Utilities | $306 | $294 | +$12 |
| Other | $1,219 | $1,181 | +$38 |
| Total | $5,100 | $4,900 | +$200 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Philadelphia (PA) | Charlotte (NC) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $3,070 | $3,990 | -$920 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $23,890 | $24,810 | -$920 |
| Take-Home Pay | $76,110 | $75,190 | +$920 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Philadelphia salary is worth in Charlotte (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Philadelphia Salary | Equivalent in Charlotte | Charlotte Salary | Equivalent in Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $48,039 | $50,000 | $52,041 |
| $75,000 | $72,059 | $75,000 | $78,061 |
| $100,000 | $96,078 | $100,000 | $104,082 |
| $150,000 | $144,118 | $150,000 | $156,122 |