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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Garden City, KS โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Wichita, KS area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.0K/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $173.9K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 26.6%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,993
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$23.9K
Per year

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

Garden City, KS

Population:27K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$229K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K
Cost Index:127
Median Home:$399K

Garden City, KS

The Sunflower State

27K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 27K 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: Garden City, KS vs Charlotte, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 66.8%
Garden City, KS
$1,480
Charlotte, NC
$2,469
Difference
$989
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 16.8%
Garden City, KS
$1,462
Charlotte, NC
$1,707
Difference
$246
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 17.8%
Garden City, KS
$840
Charlotte, NC
$989
Difference
$150
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 12.2%
Garden City, KS
$1,071
Charlotte, NC
$1,202
Difference
$131
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 16.1%
Garden City, KS
$550
Charlotte, NC
$638
Difference
$88.39
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 2.7%
Garden City, KS
$505
Charlotte, NC
$519
Difference
$13.61
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$598
To$1,630
โ†‘ $1,032
1 Bed
From$598
To$1,710
โ†‘ $1,112
2 Bed
From$788
To$1,870
โ†‘ $1,082
3 Bed
From$1,083
To$2,300
โ†‘ $1,217
Garden City, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $790โ€“$790/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.

$5,908
Monthly in Garden City, KS
$7,525
Monthly in Charlotte, NC
$1,617
Difference

Home Values

Garden City
Charlotte
$229K
Median Value
$399K
โ†‘ +1.1%
YoY Change
โ†“ -1.1%
โ†‘ +27.4%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +40.8%
$229K
Price Range
$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 74% more expensive than Garden City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $1.3K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$108
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.9%
Rate difference

Garden City, KS

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Kansas State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,714/month
$104.6K

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

Garden City, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%
Property Tax:1.3%

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

Garden City
Charlotte
43 Good
Air Quality
51 Moderate
75.1%
Good Air Days
46.2%
97 High
Climate Risk
97 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒช๐Ÿ’จ
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
61 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
36 days
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
61 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
36 days

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

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