Boston vs Charlotte: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
On median home value, Boston comes in at $684,900 — 119% higher than Charlotte, where the median is $312,800.
Typical households bring in $89,212 a year in Boston, versus $74,070 in Charlotte.
Median rent is $1,981 in Boston, compared with $1,399 in Charlotte.
Boston carries FEMA's Relatively Moderate hazard rating, compared with Relatively High for Charlotte.
| Metric | Boston, MA | Charlotte, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 665,945 | 875,045 |
| Median home value | $684,900 | $312,800 |
| Median household income | $89,212 | $74,070 |
| Median gross rent | $1,981 | $1,399 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Relatively Moderate | Relatively High |
Boston, MA runs higher than Charlotte, NC on both median home value and rent — a clear housing-cost edge for Charlotte, NC, though only on housing.
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- Charlotte vs Atlanta: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.