Cost of Living: Charlotte, NC vs Arlington, TX (2026)

Charlotte

North Carolina
108
VS

Arlington

Texas
95

Charlotte is 14% more expensive than Arlington.

$1,504/mo ↑ 8%
Median Rent
$1,389/mo ↓ 8%
$78,438/yr ↑ 7%
Median Income
$73,519/yr ↓ 6%
$351,500 ↑ 27%
Home Value
$276,400 ↓ 21%
$1,487/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,420/mo ↓ 5%
886,283
Population
394,769

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

23.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Charlotte, NC and Arlington, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 108 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $115/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $1,380/year.

Median household income is $4,919/year higher in Charlotte. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Charlotte is $351,500 compared to $276,400 in Arlington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Charlotte vs Arlington — common questions

Is Charlotte or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 108 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Charlotte and Arlington?
Median rent in Charlotte is $1,504/month and in Arlington it's $1,389/month — a difference of $115/month.
Which city has higher income, Charlotte or Arlington?
Median household income is $78,438 in Charlotte and $73,519 in Arlington. Median household income is $4,919/year higher in Charlotte.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Texas?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Charlotte or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Charlotte has a cost index of 108 with median rent of $1,504/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,389/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Charlotte details → View Arlington details →

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