Charlotte vs Philadelphia: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Charlotte's median home value is $312,800 — 45% higher than Philadelphia's $215,500.
Charlotte's median household income runs $74,070, against $57,537 in Philadelphia.
Median rent is $1,399 in Charlotte, compared with $1,250 in Philadelphia.
Charlotte carries FEMA's Relatively High hazard rating, compared with Very High for Philadelphia.
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 875,045 | 1,593,208 |
| Median home value | $312,800 | $215,500 |
| Median household income | $74,070 | $57,537 |
| Median gross rent | $1,399 | $1,250 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Relatively High | Very High |
Charlotte, NC runs higher than Philadelphia, PA on both median home value and rent — a clear housing-cost edge for Philadelphia, PA, though only on housing.
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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.