Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than New Brunswick, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 6.7% cheaper than New Brunswick, NJ. This translates to saving $503 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in New Brunswick, NJ, you'd need approximately $143,967.567 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 26.0% more expensive than in New Brunswick, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $1,947/month in New Brunswick, NJ.

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

Moving from New Brunswick, NJ to Charlotte, NC could save you approximately $503 per month, or $6032 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

New Brunswick, NJ vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in New Brunswick, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $503/month moving to Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $144.0K in Charlotte, NC

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

Overall Cost

↓ 6.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$503

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.0K

Per year

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

New Brunswick, NJ

Population:56K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$438K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:93

Median Home:$399K

New Brunswick, NJ

The Garden State

56K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 56K 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: New Brunswick, NJ vs Charlotte, NC

Category	New Brunswick, NJ	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,959/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $510more	26.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,539/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $336less	21.9%
📦Other	$1,950/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $242less	12.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,078/mo	$989/mo	↓ $89.21less	8.3%
⚡All Utilities	$584/mo	$519/mo	↓ $65.28less	11.2%
🏥Healthcare	$675/mo	$638/mo	↓ $36.61less	5.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 26.0%

New Brunswick, NJ

$1,959

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$510

🚗Transportation

↓ 21.9%

New Brunswick, NJ

$1,539

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$336

less

📦Other

↓ 12.4%

New Brunswick, NJ

$1,950

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$242

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 8.3%

New Brunswick, NJ

$1,078

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$89.21

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 11.2%

New Brunswick, NJ

$584

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$65.28

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 5.4%

New Brunswick, NJ

$675

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$36.61

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,416

To$1,630

↑ $214

1 Bed

From$1,547

To$1,710

↑ $163

2 Bed

From$1,947

To$1,870

↓ $77.00

3 Bed

From$2,332

To$2,300

↓ $32.00

New Brunswick, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,890–$1,890/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.

$7,785

Monthly in New Brunswick, NJ

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$260

Difference

Home Values

New Brunswick

Charlotte

$438K

Median Value

$399K

↑ +0.2%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +35.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$438K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 9% less expensive than New Brunswick

Calculate payment - New Brunswick 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

New Brunswick, 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

New Brunswick, 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.