Charlotte, North Carolina
In Charlotte, North Carolina, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.90 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.16 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,716, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Charlotte's cost-of-living index of 98 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.90
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,716
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$12.50
Combo meal
Electricity
13.68¢
per kWh · ~$123/mo
Car Insurance
$140/mo
$1,680/yr
Median Household Income
$83,765
32.1% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,680 in Charlotte. Compare rates:
📸 Help make this data more accurate
Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Charlotte residents actually pay.
Save on Gas
Find the cheapest gas near Charlotte:
Find Apartments
Avg rent $1,716/mo in Charlotte. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$5.54 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$8.11 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.87 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$2.14 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$5.59 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$11.31 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.42 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.72 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$5.15 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.84 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.25 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$7.93 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$5.36 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$5.99 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$8.48 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.36 | $5.54 | +27.1% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.29 | $8.11 | +28.9% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.90 | $6.87 | +16.4% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.54 | $2.14 | +39.0% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.32 | $5.59 | +29.4% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $8.40 | $11.31 | +34.6% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.83 | $5.42 | +41.5% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.07 | $4.72 | +16.0% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.54 | $5.15 | +13.4% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.15 | $2.84 | +32.1% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.74 | $2.25 | +29.3% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.54 | $7.93 | +43.1% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.32 | $5.36 | +24.1% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.69 | $5.99 | +27.7% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $6.12 | $8.48 | +38.6% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$12.50
Casual Dining
$27.03
Monthly Spend
$456.04
+5.48% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $8.14
$13.13
+61.3%Wendy's
2022: $9.19
$14.18
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $9.85
$14.71
+49.3%Starbucks
2022: $4.64
$6.45
+39.0%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Charlotte?
Average 1BR: $1,407/mo · 2BR: $2,025/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
788k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,694
$88k/yr
Top Sector
Professional & Business Services
Household vs Worker Pay
$84k
household median
Employment by Sector — Charlotte
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$105k/yr
~$69k/yr
~$152k/yr
~$38k/yr
~$67k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 37119
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$2,915/wk · $152k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$738/wk · $38k/yr
Newsletter
Get the Monthly Price Report
We track gas, groceries, and rent so you know what's coming before it hits your wallet. One email, once a month, no spam.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Data updated monthly from FRED, Zillow, AAA.
How does Charlotte compare to other North Carolina cities?
Compare Cities Side by Side →