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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Wilkes-Barre, PA โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

$

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 ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 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.

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Population:44K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$179K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K
Cost Index:111
Median Home:$399K

Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Keystone State

44K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 44K 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: Wilkes-Barre, PA vs Charlotte, NC

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 37.9%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,790
Charlotte, NC
$2,469
Difference
$679
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 11.9%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,526
Charlotte, NC
$1,707
Difference
$182
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 13.3%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$563
Charlotte, NC
$638
Difference
$75.13
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 7.7%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$562
Charlotte, NC
$519
Difference
$43.33
less
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†“ 3.4%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,024
Charlotte, NC
$989
Difference
$34.63
less
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†“ 1.6%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,222
Charlotte, NC
$1,202
Difference
$19.48
less

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Wilkes-Barre, PA: Wilkes-Barre Earned Income Tax$4,500/yr (3.0%)

Charlotte, NC has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$581
To$1,630
โ†‘ $1,049
1 Bed
From$694
To$1,710
โ†‘ $1,016
2 Bed
From$844
To$1,870
โ†‘ $1,026
3 Bed
From$1,100
To$2,300
โ†‘ $1,200
Wilkes-Barre, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $890โ€“$1,010/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.

$6,687
Monthly in Wilkes-Barre, PA
$7,525
Monthly in Charlotte, NC
$838
Difference

Home Values

Wilkes-Barre
Charlotte
$179K
Median Value
$399K
โ†‘ +7.2%
YoY Change
โ†“ -1.1%
โ†‘ +67.2%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +40.8%
$179K - $180K
Price Range
$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 122% more expensive than Wilkes-Barre

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

Wilkes-Barre, 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

Wilkes-Barre, 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

Wilkes-Barre
Charlotte
52 Moderate
Air Quality
51 Moderate
47.3%
Good Air Days
46.2%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
97 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ…๐ŸŒ€
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒช๐Ÿ’จ
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
22 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
36 days
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
22 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

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