Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than Bettendorf, IA?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 7.8% more expensive than Bettendorf, IA. This translates to spending an extra $584 per month.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in Bettendorf, IA?

If you earn $150,000 in Bettendorf, IA, you'd need approximately $157,002.954 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Bettendorf, IA and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 16.2% more expensive than in Bettendorf, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $998/month in Bettendorf, IA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Bettendorf, IA to Charlotte, NC?

Living in Charlotte, NC costs approximately $584 more per month than Bettendorf, IA, or $7003 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Bettendorf, IA vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Bettendorf, IA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Madison, WI area

Current salary in Bettendorf, IA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $584/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $157.0K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 7.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$584

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$7.0K

Per year

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

Bettendorf, IA

Population:40K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$315K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:108

Median Home:$399K

Bettendorf, IA

The Hawkeye State

40K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 40K residents.

Charlotte, NC

The Tar Heel State

875K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major banking center
•NASCAR headquarters
•Queen City

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyEnergyMotorsports

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bettendorf, IA vs Charlotte, NC

Category	Bettendorf, IA	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,125/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $344more	16.2%
📦Other	$1,535/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $172more	11.2%
🛒Groceries	$888/mo	$989/mo	↑ $101more	11.4%
⚡All Utilities	$470/mo	$519/mo	↑ $48.63more	10.3%
🏥Healthcare	$665/mo	$638/mo	↓ $27.22less	4.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,206/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $3.87less	0.3%

🏠Housing

↑ 16.2%

Bettendorf, IA

$2,125

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$344

📦Other

↑ 11.2%

Bettendorf, IA

$1,535

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$172

🛒Groceries

↑ 11.4%

Bettendorf, IA

$888

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$101

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.3%

Bettendorf, IA

$470

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$48.63

🏥Healthcare

↓ 4.1%

Bettendorf, IA

$665

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$27.22

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 0.3%

Bettendorf, IA

$1,206

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$3.87

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$714

To$1,630

↑ $916

1 Bed

From$809

To$1,710

↑ $901

2 Bed

From$998

To$1,870

↑ $872

3 Bed

From$1,311

To$2,300

↑ $989

Bettendorf, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,110–$1,110/mo

Charlotte, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340–$2,310/mo

💡 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.

$6,890

Monthly in Bettendorf, IA

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$635

Difference

Home Values

Bettendorf

Charlotte

$315K

Median Value

$399K

↑ +3%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +26.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$315K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 26% more expensive than Bettendorf

Calculate payment - Bettendorf Calculate payment - Charlotte

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$298

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.4%

Rate difference

Bettendorf, IA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Iowa State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.7K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.7K

Take-Home Pay

$8,524/month

$102.3K

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

Bettendorf, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:1.5%

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 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

Bettendorf

Charlotte

42 Good

Air Quality

51 Moderate

72.1%

Good Air Days

46.2%

94 Moderate

Climate Risk

97 High

🌊🌪💨

Top Hazards

🌊🌪💨

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.9°F

10 days

Heat Days >95°F

36 days

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.9°F

10 days

Heat Days >95°F

36 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Iowa and North Carolina on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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You'd spend $584/month more in Charlotte, NC

Bettendorf, IA

Charlotte, NC

Bettendorf, IA

Charlotte, NC

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code25 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP24 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Bettendorf, IA

Charlotte, NC

Additional Tax Information

Bettendorf, IA Tax Rates

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Charlotte, NC