Charlotte 80 Exceptional
Charlotte Livability #22 ranked city in North Carolina#1,648 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas

Charlotte, NC - The Queen City

Living in Charlotte, NC, known as 'The Queen City,' offers a dynamic urban experience combined with Southern charm. Located in southern North Carolina, Charlotte is a large city that serves as a major economic and cultural hub. Major nearby cities like Raleigh and Greensboro enhance its status as a central point in the region. Charlotte's blend of modern amenities, historic sites, and a strong sense of community creates a distinctive living experience.

Charlotte is home to several notable landmarks, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Levine Museum of the New South, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Freedom Park to the bustling South End district, which features trendy shops, restaurants, and breweries. Charlotte's dining scene is renowned for its Southern cuisine and innovative eateries.

Annual events such as the Charlotte Pride Festival and the Carolina Renaissance Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Charlotte's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Major institutions like the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Queens University of Charlotte contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Charlotte is diverse and dynamic, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Mint Museum and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Charlotte provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and theater, making it an exciting place to call home.

Charlotte’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Panthers (NFL) and the Hornets (NBA), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Charlotte include finance, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Bank of America and Atrium Health driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses, light rail, and a developing streetcar system, making it easy for residents to get around.

Pros and Cons of Living in Charlotte

PROS
  • Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Ratings

    AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

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What's it like Living in Charlotte?

Charlotte is a highly populated city located in the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of 873,570 residents. Charlotte is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (47%) and Black or African American (35%). In Charlotte, only 47% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Charlotte, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a great experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Charlotte, North Carolina. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, commute, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Charlotte and in the areas around Charlotte is a much easier task.

The livability score in Charlotte is 79/100 and the city is ranked in the 95th percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Charlotte could be a great choice! Charlotte is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Charlotte has higher than average grades for the following: amenities (A+), cost of living (B+), employment (B-) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Charlotte, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F).

If you're living in Charlotte, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Charlotte an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Charlotte: Carowinds, NASCAR Hall of Fame, and Discovery Place.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Charlotte apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Charlotte. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Charlotte are affordable. The median home price for Charlotte homes is $235,000, which is 49.6% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Charlotte, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 9.1% higher than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Charlotte

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Charlotte?

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Compare Charlotte, NC Livability

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      Charlotte transportation information

      Statistic Charlotte North Carolina National
      Average one way commute26min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.6%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.5%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home11.4%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Charlotte, NC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).