Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than Sugar Land, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 7.7% more expensive than Sugar Land, TX. This translates to spending an extra $575 per month.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in Sugar Land, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Sugar Land, TX, you'd need approximately $156,895.855 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Sugar Land, TX and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 34.1% more expensive than in Sugar Land, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $1,730/month in Sugar Land, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Sugar Land, TX to Charlotte, NC?

Living in Charlotte, NC costs approximately $575 more per month than Sugar Land, TX, or $6896 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Sugar Land, TX vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Sugar Land, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Houston, TX area

Current salary in Sugar Land, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $575/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $156.9K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 7.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$575

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$6.9K

Per year

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

Sugar Land, TX

Population:109K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$477K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:108

Median Home:$399K

Sugar Land, TX

The Lone Star State

109K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 109K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas 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: Sugar Land, TX vs Charlotte, NC

Category	Sugar Land, TX	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,841/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $628more	34.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,353/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $151less	11.2%
🛒Groceries	$881/mo	$989/mo	↑ $109more	12.3%
🏥Healthcare	$543/mo	$638/mo	↑ $95.17more	17.5%
📦Other	$1,650/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $57.04more	3.5%
⚡All Utilities	$534/mo	$519/mo	↓ $14.69less	2.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 34.1%

Sugar Land, TX

$1,841

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$628

🚗Transportation

↓ 11.2%

Sugar Land, TX

$1,353

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$151

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 12.3%

Sugar Land, TX

$881

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$109

🏥Healthcare

↑ 17.5%

Sugar Land, TX

$543

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$95.17

📦Other

↑ 3.5%

Sugar Land, TX

$1,650

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$57.04

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.8%

Sugar Land, TX

$534

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$14.69

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,409

To$1,630

↑ $221

1 Bed

From$1,452

To$1,710

↑ $258

2 Bed

From$1,730

To$1,870

↑ $140

3 Bed

From$2,325

To$2,300

↓ $25.00

Sugar Land, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,680–$1,980/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.

$6,802

Monthly in Sugar Land, TX

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$723

Difference

Home Values

Sugar Land

Charlotte

$477K

Median Value

$399K

↓ -0.3%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +36.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$421K - $533K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 16% less expensive than Sugar Land

Calculate payment - Sugar Land 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

Sugar Land, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas 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

Sugar Land, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

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.