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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Auburn, AL โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Columbus, GA area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $887/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $160.6K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 11.8%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$887
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$10.6K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Auburn, AL

Population:82K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$388K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K
Cost Index:112
Median Home:$399K

Auburn, AL

The Heart of Dixie

82K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Alabama, this city has a population of 82K residents.

Charlotte, NC

The Tar Heel State

875K
Population
State Tax
Yes
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขMajor banking center
  • โ€ขNASCAR headquarters
  • โ€ขQueen City

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyEnergyMotorsports

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Auburn, AL vs Charlotte, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 43.1%
Auburn, AL
$1,726
Charlotte, NC
$2,469
Difference
$743
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†“ 16.7%
Auburn, AL
$1,444
Charlotte, NC
$1,202
Difference
$242
less
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 8.8%
Auburn, AL
$1,569
Charlotte, NC
$1,707
Difference
$139
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 24.3%
Auburn, AL
$513
Charlotte, NC
$638
Difference
$125
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 11.1%
Auburn, AL
$584
Charlotte, NC
$519
Difference
$64.69
less
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 3.3%
Auburn, AL
$958
Charlotte, NC
$989
Difference
$31.42
more

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Auburn, AL: Auburn Occupational Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Charlotte, NC has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$771
To$1,630
โ†‘ $859
1 Bed
From$983
To$1,710
โ†‘ $727
2 Bed
From$1,076
To$1,870
โ†‘ $794
3 Bed
From$1,364
To$2,300
โ†‘ $936
Auburn, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,090โ€“$1,260/mo

Charlotte, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340โ€“$2,310/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,793
Monthly in Auburn, AL
$7,525
Monthly in Charlotte, NC
$732
Difference

Home Values

Auburn
Charlotte
$388K
Median Value
$399K
โ†‘ +4.5%
YoY Change
โ†“ -1.1%
โ†‘ +36.5%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +40.8%
$364K - $412K
Price Range
$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 3% more expensive than Auburn

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $335
Per year
Monthly Difference
$27.92
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.2%
Rate difference

Auburn, AL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Alabama State Tax
Effective: 5.0%
$7.5K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.6%
$44.5K
Take-Home Pay
$8,794/month
$105.5K

Charlotte, NC

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
North Carolina State Tax
Effective: 4.8%
$7.1K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.4%
$44.1K
Take-Home Pay
$8,822/month
$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Auburn, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%
Property Tax:0.4%

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Auburn
Charlotte
49 Good
Air Quality
51 Moderate
52.7%
Good Air Days
46.2%
82 Moderate
Climate Risk
97 High
None
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒช๐Ÿ’จ
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
64 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
36 days
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
64 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
36 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Alabama and North Carolina on TaxTakeHome.com

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