Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than Palm Bay, FL?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 3.0% cheaper than Palm Bay, FL. This translates to saving $222 per month.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in Palm Bay, FL?

If you earn $150,000 in Palm Bay, FL, you'd need approximately $147,338.781 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Palm Bay, FL and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 4.6% more expensive than in Palm Bay, FL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $1,514/month in Palm Bay, FL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Palm Bay, FL to Charlotte, NC?

Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Charlotte, NC could save you approximately $222 per month, or $2661 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Palm Bay, FL vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Palm Bay, FL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Orlando, FL area

Current salary in Palm Bay, FL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $222/month moving to Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $147.3K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 3.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$222

Savings

Annual Impact

$2.7K

Per year

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

Palm Bay, FL

Population:136K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$304K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:97

Median Home:$399K

Palm Bay, FL

The Sunshine State

136K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Florida, this city has a population of 136K residents.

💡 Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

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: Palm Bay, FL vs Charlotte, NC

Category	Palm Bay, FL	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,361/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $108more	4.6%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$638/mo	↑ $76.64more	13.6%
📦Other	$1,754/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $47.00less	2.7%
⚡All Utilities	$565/mo	$519/mo	↓ $46.10less	8.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,246/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $44.01less	3.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,004/mo	$989/mo	↓ $14.80less	1.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 4.6%

Palm Bay, FL

$2,361

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$108

🏥Healthcare

↑ 13.6%

Palm Bay, FL

$562

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$76.64

📦Other

↓ 2.7%

Palm Bay, FL

$1,754

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$47.00

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.2%

Palm Bay, FL

$565

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$46.10

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 3.5%

Palm Bay, FL

$1,246

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$44.01

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.5%

Palm Bay, FL

$1,004

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$14.80

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,122

To$1,630

↑ $508

1 Bed

From$1,312

To$1,710

↑ $398

2 Bed

From$1,514

To$1,870

↑ $356

3 Bed

From$2,062

To$2,300

↑ $238

Palm Bay, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,410–$1,750/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.

$7,492

Monthly in Palm Bay, FL

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$33.01

Difference

Home Values

Palm Bay

Charlotte

$304K

Median Value

$399K

↓ -4.5%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +33%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$231K - $313K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 31% more expensive than Palm Bay

Calculate payment - Palm Bay Calculate payment - Charlotte

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$594

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

Rate difference

Palm Bay, FL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Florida State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Palm Bay, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.