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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Gadsden, AL โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Birmingham, AL area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $841/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $160.1K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 11.2%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$841
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$10.1K
Per year

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

Gadsden, AL

Population:33K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$107K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K
Cost Index:111
Median Home:$399K

Gadsden, AL

The Heart of Dixie

33K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Alabama, this city has a population of 33K 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: Gadsden, AL vs Charlotte, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 28.0%
Gadsden, AL
$1,928
Charlotte, NC
$2,469
Difference
$541
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 8.2%
Gadsden, AL
$1,578
Charlotte, NC
$1,707
Difference
$130
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 23.9%
Gadsden, AL
$515
Charlotte, NC
$638
Difference
$123
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 3.0%
Gadsden, AL
$961
Charlotte, NC
$989
Difference
$28.75
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 4.2%
Gadsden, AL
$542
Charlotte, NC
$519
Difference
$22.55
less
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†“ 0.3%
Gadsden, AL
$1,205
Charlotte, NC
$1,202
Difference
$3.08
less

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Gadsden, AL: Gadsden Occupational Tax$3,000/yr (2.0%)

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$622
To$1,630
โ†‘ $1,008
1 Bed
From$772
To$1,710
โ†‘ $938
2 Bed
From$902
To$1,870
โ†‘ $968
3 Bed
From$1,093
To$2,300
โ†‘ $1,207
Gadsden, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $770โ€“$770/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.

$6,728
Monthly in Gadsden, AL
$7,525
Monthly in Charlotte, NC
$797
Difference

Home Values

Gadsden
Charlotte
$107K
Median Value
$399K
โ†“ -0.9%
YoY Change
โ†“ -1.1%
โ†‘ +29.8%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +40.8%
$107K
Price Range
$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 272% more expensive than Gadsden

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

Gadsden, 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

Gadsden, 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

Gadsden
Charlotte
57 Moderate
Air Quality
51 Moderate
26%
Good Air Days
46.2%
98 High
Climate Risk
97 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒช๐Ÿ’จ
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
41 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
36 days
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
41 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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