San Francisco vs Charlotte: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of San Francisco, CA and Charlotte, NC, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Charlotte, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 851,036 | 875,045 |
| Median household income | $136,689 | $74,070 |
| Median home value | $1,348,700 | $312,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,316 | $1,399 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing San Francisco, CA and Charlotte, NC comes down to what you value most. Charlotte has the lower median home value, and Charlotte has the lower median rent.
San Francisco has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco or Charlotte?
- By median home value, Charlotte is the cheaper of the two ($312,800 vs $1,348,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, San Francisco or Charlotte?
- Median household income is $136,689 in San Francisco versus $74,070 in Charlotte, per the US Census Bureau.