Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than Urbandale, IA?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 11.5% more expensive than Urbandale, IA. This translates to spending an extra $860 per month.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in Urbandale, IA?

If you earn $150,000 in Urbandale, IA, you'd need approximately $160,315.929 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Urbandale, IA and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 36.5% more expensive than in Urbandale, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $1,093/month in Urbandale, IA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Urbandale, IA to Charlotte, NC?

Living in Charlotte, NC costs approximately $860 more per month than Urbandale, IA, or $10316 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Urbandale, IA vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Urbandale, IA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Des Moines, IA area

Current salary in Urbandale, IA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $860/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $160.3K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area

Overall Cost

↑ 11.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$860

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$10.3K

Per year

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

Urbandale, IA

Population:47K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$284K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:111

Median Home:$399K

Urbandale, IA

The Hawkeye State

47K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 47K 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: Urbandale, IA vs Charlotte, NC

Category	Urbandale, IA	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,809/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $660more	36.5%
📦Other	$1,554/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $154more	9.9%
🛒Groceries	$894/mo	$989/mo	↑ $95.10more	10.6%
⚡All Utilities	$462/mo	$519/mo	↑ $57.01more	12.3%
🏥Healthcare	$670/mo	$638/mo	↓ $32.01less	4.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,202/mo	$1,202/mo	↑ $0.11more	0.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 36.5%

Urbandale, IA

$1,809

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$660

📦Other

↑ 9.9%

Urbandale, IA

$1,554

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$154

🛒Groceries

↑ 10.6%

Urbandale, IA

$894

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$95.10

⚡All Utilities

↑ 12.3%

Urbandale, IA

$462

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$57.01

🏥Healthcare

↓ 4.8%

Urbandale, IA

$670

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$32.01

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 0.0%

Urbandale, IA

$1,202

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$0.11

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$879

To$1,630

↑ $751

1 Bed

From$921

To$1,710

↑ $789

2 Bed

From$1,093

To$1,870

↑ $777

3 Bed

From$1,488

To$2,300

↑ $812

Urbandale, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,120–$1,120/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.

$6,592

Monthly in Urbandale, IA

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$933

Difference

Home Values

Urbandale

Charlotte

$284K

Median Value

$399K

↑ +2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +31.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$284K

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 40% more expensive than Urbandale

Calculate payment - Urbandale Calculate payment - Charlotte

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$298

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.4%

Rate difference

Urbandale, IA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Iowa State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.7K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.7K

Take-Home Pay

$8,524/month

$102.3K

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

Urbandale, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:1.5%

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.

Environment

Urbandale

Charlotte

45 Good

Air Quality

51 Moderate

67.5%

Good Air Days

46.2%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

97 High

🌡☀🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌪💨

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.9°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

36 days

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.9°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

36 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Iowa and North Carolina on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Urbandale, IA on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Charlotte, NC

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $860/month more in Charlotte, NC

Urbandale, IA

Charlotte, NC

Urbandale, IA

Charlotte, NC

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code25 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP24 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Urbandale, IA

Charlotte, NC

Additional Tax Information

Urbandale, IA Tax Rates

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Charlotte, NC