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Charlotte vs Raleigh: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Raleigh is 29% safer. Charlotte has more comfortable months (6 vs 6). Charlotte population: 964,784. Raleigh population: 506,306.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingTie
SafetyRaleigh
WeatherTie
HousingTie

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Charlotte vs Raleigh

CategoryCharlotteRaleigh
Overall Index100100
Housing$2,100/moIndex: 118$2,100/moIndex: 118
Groceries$402/moIndex: 98$410/moIndex: 100
Transportation$350/moIndex: 100$350/moIndex: 100
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$320/moIndex: 100
Utilities$209/moIndex: 95$209/moIndex: 95

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Charlotte vs Raleigh

Raleigh is 29% safer overall, with a crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000 residents vs Charlotte's 37.5. Raleigh earns a C+ safety grade compared to Charlotte's D. Based on 2023 FBI data.

D

Charlotte

North Carolina

Overall GradeD
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeD
Crime Rate37.5/1K
TrendDeclining
C+

Raleigh

North Carolina

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.5/1K
TrendDeclining
MetricCharlotteRaleigh
Overall Crime Rate37.5/1K26.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate550.0421.8
Property Crime Rate3200.02232.6
Murder Rate9.27.1
Assault Rate373.7354.9
Robbery Rate100.062.0
Burglary Rate405.8371.5
Theft Rate2187.61437.7
Vehicle Theft Rate503.4362.9

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Charlotte, you have a 1 in 27 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 38 in Raleigh.

Climate: Charlotte vs Raleigh

Charlotte Climate Overview

Annual High71.6°F
Annual Low50.9°F
Annual Rain41.9"
Annual Snow3.7"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthMay
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Raleigh Climate Overview

Annual High71.3°F
Annual Low50.5°F
Annual Rain43.1"
Annual Snow4.5"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthMay
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

CharlotteRaleighHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
MetricCharlotteRaleigh
Avg Annual High71.6°F71.3°F
Avg Annual Low50.9°F50.5°F
Annual Rain41.9"43.1"
Annual Snow3.7"4.5"
Comfortable Months66
Freezing Months11

Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but winter temperatures are comparable. Raleigh gets significantly more snow (5" vs 4").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charlotte cheaper than Raleigh?
Charlotte and Raleigh have very similar costs of living (index 100 vs 100, where 100 is the national average). Day-to-day expenses are comparable in both cities.
Is Charlotte safer than Raleigh?
Raleigh is 29% safer overall, with a crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000 residents vs Charlotte's 37.5. Raleigh earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Which city has better weather, Charlotte or Raleigh?
Charlotte is about the same temperature as Raleigh. Charlotte has more comfortable months (6 vs 6). Annual snow: Charlotte gets 4", Raleigh gets 5".
Should I move to Charlotte or Raleigh?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh is safer (C+ grade). Charlotte is more affordable (index 100 vs 100). Charlotte has better year-round weather. Charlotte has a population of 964,784 and Raleigh has 506,306. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Charlotte compared to Raleigh?
Charlotte has a population of 964,784 and Raleigh has 506,306. Charlotte is 91% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Charlotte or Raleigh?
Housing is cheaper in Charlotte. Estimated monthly housing costs: Charlotte $2,100/mo vs Raleigh $2,100/mo. That's based on a housing index of 118 vs 118 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

D
Charlotte Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Raleigh Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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