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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ State College, PA โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Pittsburgh, PA area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $728/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $158.7K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 9.7%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$728
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$8.7K
Per year

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

State College, PA

Population:41K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$398K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K
Cost Index:110
Median Home:$399K

State College, PA

The Keystone State

41K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 41K residents.

Charlotte, NC

The Tar Heel State

875K
Population
State Tax
Yes
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขMajor banking center
  • โ€ขNASCAR headquarters
  • โ€ขQueen City

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyEnergyMotorsports

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: State College, PA vs Charlotte, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 41.7%
State College, PA
$1,743
Charlotte, NC
$2,469
Difference
$726
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 21.6%
State College, PA
$525
Charlotte, NC
$638
Difference
$113
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 7.0%
State College, PA
$1,596
Charlotte, NC
$1,707
Difference
$111
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 14.1%
State College, PA
$605
Charlotte, NC
$519
Difference
$85.42
less
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†“ 0.5%
State College, PA
$1,208
Charlotte, NC
$1,202
Difference
$5.63
less
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 0.3%
State College, PA
$986
Charlotte, NC
$989
Difference
$3.27
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,098
To$1,630
โ†‘ $532
1 Bed
From$1,106
To$1,710
โ†‘ $604
2 Bed
From$1,305
To$1,870
โ†‘ $565
3 Bed
From$1,634
To$2,300
โ†‘ $666
State College, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,280โ€“$1,340/mo

Charlotte, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340โ€“$2,310/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

$6,662
Monthly in State College, PA
$7,525
Monthly in Charlotte, NC
$863
Difference

Home Values

State College
Charlotte
$398K
Median Value
$399K
โ†‘ +0.8%
YoY Change
โ†“ -1.1%
โ†‘ +22.2%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +40.8%
$394K - $402K
Price Range
$293K - $1.57M

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†“ $2.5K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$210
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.7%
Rate difference

State College, PA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Pennsylvania State Tax
Effective: 3.1%
$4.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.7%
$41.6K
Take-Home Pay
$9,032/month
$108.4K

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

State College, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%
Property Tax:1.4%

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

Environment

State College
Charlotte
52 Moderate
Air Quality
51 Moderate
47.8%
Good Air Days
46.2%
98 High
Climate Risk
97 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒช๐Ÿ’จ
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒช๐Ÿ’จ
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
12 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
36 days
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
12 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
36 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Pennsylvania and North Carolina on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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