City cost comparison
Charlotte vs Raleigh
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Charlotte, NC against Raleigh, NC.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Raleigh, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $809 | $770 | +5% cheaper in Raleigh |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,207 | $1,160 | +4% cheaper in Raleigh |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $602 | $590 | +2% cheaper in Raleigh |
| FoodPer child / month | $342 | $328 | +4% cheaper in Raleigh |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $84 | $80 | +5% cheaper in Raleigh |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.