CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Charlotte, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Charlotte
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Charlotte is moderately cheaper than Aurora — 6.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $75,100 in Charlotte. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing12.9%
Aurora
112
Charlotte
97.6
🛒 Groceries10.0%
Aurora
107.3
Charlotte
96.6
🚗 Transportation2.3%
Aurora
105.5
Charlotte
103.1
🏥 Healthcare2.3%
Aurora
95.5
Charlotte
93.3
Utilities+6.7%
Aurora
83.6
Charlotte
89.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Charlotte, NC
$75,100
$4,900 less needed in Charlotte

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.9392. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Charlotte, NC

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

Aurora has 12.9% lower housing costs compared to Charlotte.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Charlotte, NC

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Charlotte, NC
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.