Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than Lawrence, KS?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 10.9% more expensive than Lawrence, KS. This translates to spending an extra $818 per month.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in Lawrence, KS?

If you earn $150,000 in Lawrence, KS, you'd need approximately $159,815.637 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lawrence, KS and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 34.1% more expensive than in Lawrence, KS. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $979/month in Lawrence, KS.

How much can I save per month by moving from Lawrence, KS to Charlotte, NC?

Living in Charlotte, NC costs approximately $818 more per month than Lawrence, KS, or $9816 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lawrence, KS vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lawrence, KS — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Kansas City, MO area

Current salary in Lawrence, KS

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $818/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $159.8K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Kansas City, MO-KS area

Overall Cost

↑ 10.9%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$818

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$9.8K

Per year

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

Lawrence, KS

Population:96K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$307K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:111

Median Home:$399K

Lawrence, KS

The Sunflower State

96K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 96K 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: Lawrence, KS vs Charlotte, NC

Category	Lawrence, KS	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,841/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $628more	34.1%
📦Other	$1,562/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $146more	9.3%
🛒Groceries	$936/mo	$989/mo	↑ $53.45more	5.7%
🏥Healthcare	$599/mo	$638/mo	↑ $39.60more	6.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,181/mo	$1,202/mo	↑ $20.63more	1.7%
⚡All Utilities	$528/mo	$519/mo	↓ $8.79less	1.7%

🏠Housing

↑ 34.1%

Lawrence, KS

$1,841

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$628

📦Other

↑ 9.3%

Lawrence, KS

$1,562

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$146

🛒Groceries

↑ 5.7%

Lawrence, KS

$936

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$53.45

🏥Healthcare

↑ 6.6%

Lawrence, KS

$599

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$39.60

🚗Transportation

↑ 1.7%

Lawrence, KS

$1,181

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$20.63

⚡All Utilities

↓ 1.7%

Lawrence, KS

$528

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$8.79

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$743

To$1,630

↑ $887

1 Bed

From$834

To$1,710

↑ $876

2 Bed

From$979

To$1,870

↑ $891

3 Bed

From$1,359

To$2,300

↑ $941

Lawrence, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $920–$1,060/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.

$6,646

Monthly in Lawrence, KS

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$878

Difference

Home Values

Lawrence

Charlotte

$307K

Median Value

$399K

↑ +2.5%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +41%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$262K - $377K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 30% more expensive than Lawrence

Calculate payment - Lawrence Calculate payment - Charlotte

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $1.3K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$108

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.9%

Rate difference

Lawrence, 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

Lawrence, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%

Property Tax:1.3%

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

Lawrence

Charlotte

46 Good

Air Quality

51 Moderate

59.3%

Good Air Days

46.2%

97 High

Climate Risk

97 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌪💨

▲+3.3°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.9°F

44 days

Heat Days >95°F

36 days

▲+3.3°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.9°F

44 days

Heat Days >95°F

36 days

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

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Lawrence, KS on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Charlotte, NC

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $818/month more in Charlotte, NC

Lawrence, KS

Charlotte, NC

Lawrence, KS

Charlotte, NC

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code4 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code25 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP4 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP24 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Lawrence, KS

Charlotte, NC

Additional Tax Information

Lawrence, KS Tax Rates

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Charlotte, NC