CostIndexUSA

Charlotte, NC vs Chesapeake, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Charlotte
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
VA
Chesapeake
97.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Charlotte is slightly cheaper than Chesapeake — 0.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charlotte, you would need $80,500 in Chesapeake. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+2.3%
Charlotte
97.6
Chesapeake
99.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Charlotte
96.6
Chesapeake
96.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Charlotte
103.1
Chesapeake
103.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Charlotte
93.3
Chesapeake
93.7
Utilities≈ Equal
Charlotte
89.2
Chesapeake
89.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Chesapeake, VA
$80,500
$500 more needed in Chesapeake

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.0062. 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×

Chesapeake, VA

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
99.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Chesapeake has 2.3% higher housing costs compared to Charlotte.

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

Chesapeake, VA

Median Household Income
$79,300
Per Capita Income
$45,200
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
249,422
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareRetailManufacturingGovernment

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)

Chesapeake, VA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.