CostIndexUSA

Charlotte, NC vs Orlando, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Charlotte
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
FL
Orlando
101.4
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Charlotte is slightly cheaper than Orlando — 4.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charlotte, you would need $83,400 in Orlando. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+26.4%
Charlotte
97.6
Orlando
123.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Charlotte
96.6
Orlando
96.2
🚗 Transportation+0.7%
Charlotte
103.1
Orlando
103.8
🏥 Healthcare+0.6%
Charlotte
93.3
Orlando
93.9
Utilities2.2%
Charlotte
89.2
Orlando
87.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Orlando, FL
$83,400
$3,400 more needed in Orlando

Formula: salary × (101.4 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.0421. 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×

Orlando, FL

Median Home Price
$381,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
123.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Orlando has 26.4% 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

Orlando, FL

Median Household Income
$77,400
Per Capita Income
$44,100
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
307,573
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareTechnologyRetailEducation

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)

Orlando, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.