Charlotte was recently ranked #5 for overall best places to live and #9 for best places to retire in the U.S. So it should be no surprise that, with new residents hailing everywhere from New York to California, Charlotte is now home to over 900,000 people and counting.
Thinking about moving to Charlotte, NC yourself? Well, with its warm climate, budding food scene, vibrant culture, southern charm, and affordable housing, who could blame you?
Here, you’ll learn the most important things to know about living in Charlotte, NC before you make the leap. We’ll cover things like the job market, cost of living, best places to live, and all the ways to enjoy your weekends in Queen City, Tree City, Banktown, or whatever you nickname gets your fancy.
Living in Charlotte, NC: Quick Facts
Before we dive into the details, here are a few quick facts about Charlotte, NC:
Population: 911,311 (as of 2023)
Median Age: 34 (as of 2023)
Cost of Living: 3% lower than the national average
Median Income: $78,438
Average Home Price: $420,680
Average Rent Price: $1,653
Fun Fact: Charlotte has been the backdrop for several movies and TV shows over the years, including The Notebook, The Hunger Games, and The Walking Dead.
8 Things To Know About Living in Charlotte, NC
Living in Charlotte, NC offers the perfect blend of Southern charm with fast-growing, finance-driven hustle, where craft beer flows as freely as bank deals, and newcomers quickly find themselves cheering for the Panthers, sipping sweet tea on a porch, or debating the best local BBQ joint (The Smoke Pit, Midwood, and Ray Nathan's are frequent contenders).
Below, we’ve listed 8 things to know before you make the move.
1. The weather in Charlotte, NC is humid but temperate
If you crave heat and sunshine and don’t mind the humidity, Charlotte might be a great place to land. Charlotte's annual average temperature is a balmy 61.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and the summers boast dozens of sunny, 80-degree days — ideal for kicking back at one of Charlotte’s over 40 local breweries with a cold pint in hand. Winters are pretty mild here, too, but make no mistake: Charlotte still has all four seasons, so don’t go throwing all your coats away just yet!
2. Charlotte’s job market is booming
Thanks to the huge presence of financial institutions like Bank of America and Wells Fargo, Charlotte has the second-largest banking sector in the U.S., just after NYC.
But don’t let the skyscrapers fool you—this city’s job scene isn’t just about finance. While Charlotte is primarily a financial hub, job opportunities are spiking across industries like tech, life science, and health, and Queen City’s become a top spot for individuals and companies looking for a business-friendly climate. It’s a place where young professionals and entrepreneurs can launch careers and businesses without the sky-high cost of living, and where you’re just as likely to network over a craft beer at a brewery instead of in a boardroom.
In short, the Charlotte job market is thriving. And due to the active job market and number of universities in and around the city, living in Charlotte has been ranked as a top 10 city for jumpstarting your career as a young professional.
So, whether you’re considering relocating for a job or hoping to find a new opportunity after dealing with your move, Charlotte should have no shortage of career growth opportunities.
3. The cost of living in Charlotte, NC is still below the national average
While Charlotte is quickly becoming one of the most expensive cities in North Carolina, the cost of living in Charlotte, NC is actually 3 percent lower than the national average.
Because of this, many big city dwellers are making the move to Charlotte for not only its warm weather and promising job market but also its affordability.
For instance:
Say you live in New York City and want to move to Charlotte. The cost of living in NYC is 77 percent higher than the national average. So, if you made $100,000 in NYC, you’d only need to make $54,510 in Charlotte to maintain the same standard of living.
Similarly, if you’re leaving Los Angeles for Charlotte, NC, and you made $100,000 in LA, you’d only need a salary of $64,424 in Charlotte. Not bad!
Overall, what is a livable salary in Charlotte, NC?
The median salary in Charlotte is $78,438, which is a great guidepost. That said, so many cost of living factors—like where you live, how you spend your time, whether or not you have kids, and what your personal financial goals are—will affect what feels like a “livable salary” to you.
Generally, an individual could live off of a salary of $50,000–$60,000 in Charlotte comfortably. A family of four, on the other hand, would need a household income of $70,000 or higher.
4. Charlotte, NC is a seller’s market — but prices are relatively low
When talking about the cost of living in Charlotte, NC, the burning question you probably have is about home and rental prices.
If you’re looking to buy, know that as of February 2025, the average Charlotte, NC home value is $393,500, up 0.9 percent from last year. Yes, Charlotte is considered a seller’s market, and analysts predict the city’s home prices will continue to climb by 3 or 4 percent annually over the next few years — but compared to other big cities, Charlotte can be very affordable.
Compared to places like NYC or LA, which currently have average home values of $763,400 and $973,400, respectively, you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck when buying a house in Charlotte.
Unlike cramped city apartments in NYC or tiny bungalows in L.A., Charlotte offers a variety of spacious living options. From charming historic bungalows in Dilworth, to modern high-rise condos in Uptown, to sprawling suburban homes with big yards in Ballantyne, there's a home type and neighborhood for every lifestyle and budget.
For perspective, here’s how home values stack up across different Charlotte neighborhoods:
Average Home Values in Charlotte Neighborhoods
Ballantyne East: $726,569 (Suburban luxury with top-rated schools)
Uptown: $539,200 (Modern high-rise condos and townhomes in the city center)
Sardis Woods: $441,500 (Quiet, tree-lined streets with mid-century homes)
Dilworth: $748,100 (Historic bungalows and craftsman-style homes with walkable charm)
Eastover: $2,045,500 (Exclusive, estate-style homes in one of Charlotte’s wealthiest areas)
5. Charlotte rental prices are below the national average
Planning to rent instead of buy? As a renter, living in Charlotte, NC will cost, on average, $1,500 a month (depending on where you live, and how many bedrooms you choose, of course), which is about 5 percent lower than the national average.
Let’s break down that down by apartment type:
Studio: $1,425/mo.
1 Bedroom: $1,475/mo.
2 Bedroom: $1,800/mo.
3 Bedroom: $2,250/mo.
Note that this list is an average for all of Charlotte — so if you want to venture to more affluent neighborhoods, you can expect to pay a premium.
Average Rent in Charlotte Neighborhoods
The following are average rents for select Charlotte neighborhoods, which include a mix of upscale and affordable areas, to give you an idea of the range of rents you can expect to see.
6. The Best Places to live in Charlotte, NC cater to all walks of life
When you consider moving to Charlotte — as with other cities — where you choose to live could make or break your overall experience. Lucky for you, Charlotte has no shortage of beautiful neighborhoods and suburbs to choose from!
Uptown: Best Charlotte, NC Neighborhood for Singles and Young Professionals
While NoDa (North Davidson) is a close second thanks to its eccentric, artsy vibe, Uptown (Charlotte’s Downtown) is overall the best place to live in Charlotte for singles and young professionals. Not only could you likely walk to and from work but you’re also right in the center of all Charlotte’s buzzing bars and restaurants, like Aura — known for its breathtaking rooftop views at the top of JW Marriott Charlotte — and The Cellar — a classy yet cozy underground jazz bar with creative cocktails.
Ballantyne East: Best Charlotte, NC Neighborhood for Families=[]
Ballantyne East, located in South Charlotte, is the best place to settle down if you’re raising a family. Ballantyne has several highly rated public schools, including Ardrey Kell High School, which was ranked the #1 high school in Charlotte.
Beyond its lush green spaces and family-friendly atmosphere, Ballantyne offers great dining and shopping at Ballantyne Village and Blakeney Town Center, plus the opportunity to join the Ballantyne Country Club!
Myers Park: Best Charlotte, NC Neighborhood for Retirees
Myers Park, perhaps the most picturesque place in Charlotte, is renowned for its historic homes and towering oak trees (and the Myers Park Country Club, of course). Retirees will appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and spots like Freedom Park, while still getting the city perks of having restaurants and cafes close by.
7. Charlotte has a higher crime rate than average
Is Charlotte, NC a safe place to live?
Unfortunately, Charlotte has higher violent and property crime rates than the rest of North Carolina and is ranked as safer than only 3 percent of other cities across the United States.
Like most big cities, Charlotte has sketchier pockets of town that most of those crimes are siloed to — but there are many areas and neighborhoods that are considered perfectly safe.
Here are 3 of the safest Charlotte, NC neighborhoods to live in:
3 Safest Neighborhoods in Charlotte, NC
And here are 3 Neighborhoods you may want to stay away from:
3 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Charlotte, NC
8. There’s no shortage of fun in Charlotte, NC
Whether you’re into sports, art, or outdoor activities, you’ll definitely be able to fill your weekends when living here. Here are a few ideas:
Big sports fan? Catch a Panthers game during NFL season or see the Hornets courtside in the Spring. Charlotte even has its own Minor League Baseball team and hockey team, so you’ll always have a team to root for year-round!
When you’re not watching a game, you can catch a concert or comedy show at Bank of America Stadium or Spectrum Center.
Check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame, or even better, watch a live NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway!
Take the whole family to Carowinds Theme Park.
Bask in the outdoors — from mountain biking to ziplining to whitewater rafting — with the U.S. National Whitewater Center.
Whether you’re a cyclist, runner, or casual-walk-and-talk-with-a-cup-of-coffee type, enjoy almost 75 miles of beautiful greenway trails all around the city!
Take your pick of over 50 breweries (and counting) in and around the city. Brewers at 4001 Yancey, Divine Barrel Brewing, and Pilot Brewing are a few fan favorites!
More of an artsy type? Make sure to check out both the Mint Museum and Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.
If you’re craving a getaway, take a weekend beach vacation — Myrtle Beach is only 3.5 hours away, and you can get to Ramsey Creek in just 30 minutes!
Pros and Cons of Living in Charlotte, NC
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to live? There are pros and cons to living in any city — but from the looks of it, the pros of living in Charlotte definitely outweigh the cons.
Pros of Living in Charlotte, NC
While Charlotte is humid and has four seasons, it’s overall a pleasant, mild climate year-round.
The cost of living in Charlotte, NC, is below the national average, meaning you can enjoy all the big-city amenities without the big-city prices.
The job market is robust in Charlotte — and has no plans of slowing down.
From NASCAR and Basketball to museums and bars, you’ll never run out of places to go or things to do in and around the city!
Cons of Living in Charlotte, NC
Get ready for bugs. The one downside to Charlotte’s hot and humid weather is the number of mosquitoes, ants, and stink bugs around.
Since Charlotte is growing in popularity and more people are moving there, expect to deal with some construction and more traffic.
Charlotte has a higher crime rate than most surrounding areas — so if you’re planning to relocate to Charlotte, do some research on your neighborhood beforehand.
Start Your Next Chapter in Charlotte, NC
As a charming southern city with no shortage of opportunities and things to do, it’s no wonder so many folks — from single, young professionals to growing families to retirees — are moving to Charlotte, NC.
If you can get over the bugs and muggy summers, then relocating to Charlotte is definitely worth it, especially if you’re coming from a state with a higher cost of living.
To streamline your move, choose Colonial Van Lines. With over 50 years of experience, Colonial has fine-tuned every step of long-distance moving — from packing up your old house to transporting, unloading, and unpacking everything at your new home.