

Charlotte, NC vs Chicago, IL
Charlotte, NC comes out ahead of Chicago, IL on 21 of 30 statistics where one end is better, to 9. Charlotte, NC leads on Economics.
30 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 21
- Avg. percentile
- 51
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 9
- Avg. percentile
- 35
- Categories led
- 0
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 982,070 14th of 477 | 2,727,758 3rd of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $82,068 149th of 434 | $77,902 178th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $385,700 265th of 434 | $334,100 228th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 11.7% 142nd of 434 | 16.8% 277th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 97.3 tied 198th of 460 | 103.6 tied 337th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $68,900 tied 178th of 460 | $73,380 tied 97th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,612 282nd of 434 | $1,440 242nd of 434 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- EconomicsCharlotte, NC · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 14 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Charlotte, NC | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 98.2 tied 138th of 460 | 100.5 tied 345th of 460 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 93.6% 124th of 434 | 89.1% 320th of 434 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 96.6 tied 244th of 460 | 107.3 tied 429th of 460 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 24.7 278th of 434 | 33.1 414th of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 11.7% 142nd of 434 | 16.8% 277th of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 97.3 tied 198th of 460 | 103.6 tied 337th of 460 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 89.2 tied 199th of 460 | 83.6 tied 91st of 460 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $49,990 tied 217th of 460 | $54,720 tied 113th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $68,900 tied 178th of 460 | $73,380 tied 97th of 460 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 97.6 tied 209th of 460 | 112.0 tied 272nd of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,612 282nd of 434 | $1,440 242nd of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $385,700 265th of 434 | $334,100 228th of 434 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $82,068 149th of 434 | $77,902 178th of 434 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 48.0% 98th of 434 | 44.3% 119th of 434 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Charlotte, NC or Chicago, IL?
- Charlotte, NC comes out ahead of Chicago, IL on 21 of 30 statistics where one end is better, to 9. Charlotte, NC leads on Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Charlotte, NC or Chicago, IL?
- Charlotte, NC has a population of 982,070 (14th of 477 US cities) and Chicago, IL has 2,727,758 (3rd of 477).
- How do Charlotte, NC and Chicago, IL compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Charlotte, NC $82,068 (149th of 434), Chicago, IL $77,902 (178th of 434) among US cities. Charlotte, NC ranks better.
- How do Charlotte, NC and Chicago, IL compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Charlotte, NC $385,700 (265th of 434), Chicago, IL $334,100 (228th of 434) among US cities. Chicago, IL ranks better.
- Where does Charlotte, NC beat Chicago, IL most clearly?
- Charlotte, NC ranks far ahead on Price Level (Other Services) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 98.2 vs 100.5; Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 93.6% vs 89.1%; Price Level (Goods) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 96.6 vs 107.3.
- Where does Chicago, IL beat Charlotte, NC most clearly?
- Chicago, IL ranks far ahead on Price Level (Utilities) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 83.6 vs 89.2; Median Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $54,720 vs $49,990; Average Annual Wage, All Jobs (Average Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS)): $73,380 vs $68,900.
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