Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than Lawrence, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 31.6% cheaper than Lawrence, MA. This translates to saving $2369 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Lawrence, MA, you'd need approximately $121,567.186 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 45.4% cheaper than in Lawrence, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $1,626/month in Lawrence, MA.

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

Moving from Lawrence, MA to Charlotte, NC could save you approximately $2369 per month, or $28433 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lawrence, MA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Boston, MA area

Current salary in Lawrence, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.4K/month moving to Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $121.6K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 31.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,369

Savings

Annual Impact

$28.4K

Per year

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

Lawrence, MA

Population:88K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$470K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:68

Median Home:$399K

Lawrence, MA

The Bay State

88K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 88K 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, MA vs Charlotte, NC

Category	Lawrence, MA	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,518/mo	$2,469/mo	↓ $2,050less	45.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,742/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $540less	31.0%
⚡All Utilities	$698/mo	$519/mo	↓ $179less	25.7%
🏥Healthcare	$725/mo	$638/mo	↓ $87.13less	12.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,053/mo	$989/mo	↓ $63.52less	6.0%
📦Other	$1,736/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $28.96less	1.7%

🏠Housing

↓ 45.4%

Lawrence, MA

$4,518

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$2,050

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 31.0%

Lawrence, MA

$1,742

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$540

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 25.7%

Lawrence, MA

$698

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$179

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.0%

Lawrence, MA

$725

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$87.13

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.0%

Lawrence, MA

$1,053

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$63.52

less

📦Other

↓ 1.7%

Lawrence, MA

$1,736

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$28.96

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,124

To$1,630

↑ $506

1 Bed

From$1,238

To$1,710

↑ $472

2 Bed

From$1,626

To$1,870

↑ $244

3 Bed

From$1,949

To$2,300

↑ $351

Lawrence, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,530–$1,820/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.

$10,473

Monthly in Lawrence, MA

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$2,948

Difference

Home Values

Lawrence

Charlotte

$470K

Median Value

$399K

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +43.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$372K - $515K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 15% less 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

↑ $375

Per year

Monthly Difference

$31.25

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Lawrence, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/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

Lawrence, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.