Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than Elizabeth, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 8.5% cheaper than Elizabeth, NJ. This translates to saving $640 per month.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in Elizabeth, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Elizabeth, NJ, you'd need approximately $142,317.241 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Elizabeth, NJ and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 23.6% more expensive than in Elizabeth, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $1,682/month in Elizabeth, NJ.

How much can I save per month by moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Charlotte, NC?

Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Charlotte, NC could save you approximately $640 per month, or $7683 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Elizabeth, NJ vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Elizabeth, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Elizabeth, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $640/month moving to Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $142.3K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↓ 8.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$640

Savings

Annual Impact

$7.7K

Per year

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

Elizabeth, NJ

Population:136K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$501K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:91

Median Home:$399K

Elizabeth, NJ

The Garden State

136K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 136K 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: Elizabeth, NJ vs Charlotte, NC

Category	Elizabeth, NJ	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,998/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $471more	23.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,569/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $367less	23.4%
📦Other	$1,989/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $282less	14.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,089/mo	$989/mo	↓ $99.97less	9.2%
⚡All Utilities	$590/mo	$519/mo	↓ $71.11less	12.0%
🏥Healthcare	$682/mo	$638/mo	↓ $43.34less	6.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 23.6%

Elizabeth, NJ

$1,998

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$471

🚗Transportation

↓ 23.4%

Elizabeth, NJ

$1,569

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$367

less

📦Other

↓ 14.2%

Elizabeth, NJ

$1,989

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$282

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.2%

Elizabeth, NJ

$1,089

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$99.97

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 12.0%

Elizabeth, NJ

$590

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$71.11

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.4%

Elizabeth, NJ

$682

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$43.34

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,231

To$1,630

↑ $399

1 Bed

From$1,390

To$1,710

↑ $320

2 Bed

From$1,682

To$1,870

↑ $188

3 Bed

From$2,108

To$2,300

↑ $192

Elizabeth, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,600–$1,700/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.

$7,917

Monthly in Elizabeth, NJ

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$393

Difference

Home Values

Elizabeth

Charlotte

$501K

Median Value

$399K

↑ +4.3%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +55.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$495K - $565K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 20% less expensive than Elizabeth

Calculate payment - Elizabeth Calculate payment - Charlotte

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $306

Per year

Monthly Difference

$25.46

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.2%

Rate difference

Elizabeth, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

Elizabeth, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.