CostIndexUSA

Charlotte, NC vs Dallas, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Charlotte
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
TX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent

Charlotte is moderately cheaper than Dallas — 6.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charlotte, you would need $84,800 in Dallas. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+20.8%
Charlotte
97.6
Dallas
117.9
🛒 Groceries+6.4%
Charlotte
96.6
Dallas
102.8
🚗 Transportation+1.6%
Charlotte
103.1
Dallas
104.7
🏥 Healthcare+1.5%
Charlotte
93.3
Dallas
94.7
Utilities+1.7%
Charlotte
89.2
Dallas
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Dallas, TX
$84,800
$4,800 more needed in Dallas

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.0596. 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×

Dallas, TX

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Dallas has 20.8% 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

Dallas, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
1,304,379
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareTelecommunicationsReal Estate

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)

Dallas, TX
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.