Cost of Living in Charlotte, NC, United States

RESTAURANTS

Eating out will, for sure, cost you more than cooking by yourself.

Since North Carolina has normal prices for US standards, you can expect to eat in an inexpensive restaurant for no less than 20$.

A meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost you around 80$, while a pint of domestic beer will cost you around 6$.

MARKETS

Cooking by yourself, in turn, will cost you much less than eating out.

The dominant local grocery chains are Harris Teeter, Publix, Food Lion, and Aldi.

Publix and Harris Teeter are more expensive but the products it offers are considered upscale.

Food Lion is a middle-class favorite among the citizens and usually has an extensive ethnic section.

TRANSPORTATION

Uptown Charlotte is very dense, and almost all parts of town are easily reached by walking.

The prices of taxis in Charlotte are regulated by the city and are consistent for all companies.

The pickup rate is 5$.

The bus fare is 2.62 $$ which is not that much cheaper than the taxi.

Most people use primarily taxi services in Charlotte.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Utilities are not too expensive in Charlotte, by US standards, if you look at the price of all included utilities for an apartment of a larger structure (85m2): for such an apartment, all basic utilities – including electricity, along with heating and cooling, water, gas, and garbage services – cost around 180$.

Internet is pretty pricey though, amounting to 77$.

SPORTS & LEISURE

If you like golf or outdoor activities like white water rafting, you’ll have plenty to do here.

But if you’re more into staying fit by practicing fitness or going to the gym, becoming a member of a gym or a fitness club will cost you around 50$ a month.

Going to the cinema costs nearly the same as it does in most popular European destinations – around 15$ per ticket.

CLOTHING & SHOES

One of Charlotte’s biggest weaknesses is the lack of retail shopping in the city center.

This is expected to change in the near future, but for now, you still have to venture into the suburbs to do your shopping.

As with most American cities, most retail is in malls and shopping centers.

A pair of quality jeans like Levi’s costs more than 53$, and a pair of quality running sneakers like Nike are around 100$.

RENT PER MONTH

Charlotte has many charms and one of them is affordable housing and living – by US standards.

From a general point of view, taking into consideration the rest of the world – rent prices here are through the roof.

Don’t expect to find a cute apartment anywhere near the center of any of the major cities for less than 1900$ – and that goes for one-bedroom apartments!

If you want to move in with your family in a larger apartment, then prepare to cash out at least 4600$.