Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than Rock Island, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 6.3% more expensive than Rock Island, IL. This translates to spending an extra $476 per month.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in Rock Island, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Rock Island, IL, you'd need approximately $155,707.831 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Rock Island, IL and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 14.6% more expensive than in Rock Island, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $827/month in Rock Island, IL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Rock Island, IL to Charlotte, NC?

Living in Charlotte, NC costs approximately $476 more per month than Rock Island, IL, or $5708 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rock Island, IL vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rock Island, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Madison, WI area

Current salary in Rock Island, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $476/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $155.7K in Charlotte, NC

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

Overall Cost

↑ 6.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$476

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$5.7K

Per year

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

Rock Island, IL

Population:36K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$122K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:106

Median Home:$399K

Rock Island, IL

The Prairie State

36K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 36K 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: Rock Island, IL vs Charlotte, NC

Category	Rock Island, IL	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,154/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $315more	14.6%
📦Other	$1,556/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $151more	9.7%
🛒Groceries	$894/mo	$989/mo	↑ $95.16more	10.6%
⚡All Utilities	$474/mo	$519/mo	↑ $45.46more	9.6%
🏥Healthcare	$670/mo	$638/mo	↓ $31.71less	4.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,222/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $20.18less	1.7%

🏠Housing

↑ 14.6%

Rock Island, IL

$2,154

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$315

📦Other

↑ 9.7%

Rock Island, IL

$1,556

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$151

🛒Groceries

↑ 10.6%

Rock Island, IL

$894

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$95.16

⚡All Utilities

↑ 9.6%

Rock Island, IL

$474

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$45.46

🏥Healthcare

↓ 4.7%

Rock Island, IL

$670

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$31.71

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 1.7%

Rock Island, IL

$1,222

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$20.18

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$591

To$1,630

↑ $1,039

1 Bed

From$672

To$1,710

↑ $1,038

2 Bed

From$827

To$1,870

↑ $1,043

3 Bed

From$1,085

To$2,300

↑ $1,215

Rock Island, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $910–$910/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.

$6,970

Monthly in Rock Island, IL

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$555

Difference

Home Values

Rock Island

Charlotte

$122K

Median Value

$399K

↑ +3.2%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +19.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$122K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 228% more expensive than Rock Island

Calculate payment - Rock Island Calculate payment - Charlotte

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $300

Per year

Monthly Difference

$25.00

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.2%

Rate difference

Rock Island, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/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

Rock Island, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

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.