Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than St. Cloud, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 0.4% more expensive than St. Cloud, MN. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in St. Cloud, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Cloud, MN, you'd need approximately $150,367.359 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Cloud, MN and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 9.3% more expensive than in St. Cloud, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $996/month in St. Cloud, MN.

How much can I save per month by moving from St. Cloud, MN to Charlotte, NC?

St. Cloud, MN and Charlotte, NC have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Cloud, MN vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 St. Cloud, MN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Minneapolis, MN area

Current salary in St. Cloud, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $30.61/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.4K in Charlotte, NC

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

Overall Cost

↑ 0.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$30.61

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$367

Per year

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

St. Cloud, MN

Population:71K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$259K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$399K

St. Cloud, MN

The North Star State

71K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 71K 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: St. Cloud, MN vs Charlotte, NC

Category	St. Cloud, MN	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,259/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $209more	9.3%
📦Other	$1,587/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $120more	7.6%
🏥Healthcare	$715/mo	$638/mo	↓ $76.73less	10.7%
⚡All Utilities	$481/mo	$519/mo	↑ $38.48more	8.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,234/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $32.02less	2.6%
🛒Groceries	$973/mo	$989/mo	↑ $15.84more	1.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 9.3%

St. Cloud, MN

$2,259

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$209

📦Other

↑ 7.6%

St. Cloud, MN

$1,587

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$120

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.7%

St. Cloud, MN

$715

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$76.73

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 8.0%

St. Cloud, MN

$481

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$38.48

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.6%

St. Cloud, MN

$1,234

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$32.02

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 1.6%

St. Cloud, MN

$973

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$15.84

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$722

To$1,630

↑ $908

1 Bed

From$760

To$1,710

↑ $950

2 Bed

From$996

To$1,870

↑ $874

3 Bed

From$1,323

To$2,300

↑ $977

St. Cloud, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $890–$1,250/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.

$7,250

Monthly in St. Cloud, MN

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$275

Difference

Home Values

St. Cloud

Charlotte

$259K

Median Value

$399K

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +35.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$231K - $302K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 54% more expensive than St. Cloud

Calculate payment - St. Cloud Calculate payment - Charlotte

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.3K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$276

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

St. Cloud, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

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

St. Cloud, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

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.