Jump to any of the following sections to learn more about what to expect living in Charlotte
- Charlotte at-a-glance
- What it’s like to live in Charlotte
- Economy and job outlook in Charlotte
- Real estate, cost of living in Charlotte
- The top neighborhoods in Charlotte
- How to get around in Charlotte
- School and education snapshot
- Weather and climate in Charlotte
- 10 can’t-miss things to do in Charlotte
Charlotte At-A-Glance
Moving to Charlotte? You’re not alone. In fact, at the end of 2022 it was named the sixth fastest-growing metro in the U.S., with over 200,000 new people making it their home between 2016 and 2021. With its strong job prospects, mild year-round weather and many cultural attractions, it’s no wonder people are flocking to the Queen City.
Families and young professionals alike will appreciate the revival that is turning many of Charlotte’s historic neighborhoods and buildings into thriving markets, restaurants and cultural spaces that will keep you busy. Of course, if you need some fun in the sun, the beach is nearby—although Charlotte is a bit inland from the Atlantic coast, Lake Norman is just a short drive away.
Read on for more things to know before moving to Charlotte.
A City for Lovers of NASCAR, Art and Culture
Although Florida may be where NASCAR is headquartered, its origins and home are in North Carolina with the NASCAR Hall of Fame right in Uptown Charlotte. Auto racing fans will be happy to check out the All-Star Race, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Bank of America Roval 400.
If racing’s not your thing, the city is also home to several professional sports teams, including the Carolina Panthers (NFL), the Charlotte Hornets (NBA) and the Charlotte FC (MLS).
In recent years, Charlotte has dedicated itself to a plan to grow and sustain its arts and culture scene, hoping to become a leading arts city. It’s already on its way—the Mint Museum is renowned in the region for its large American and European art collection. Residents and visitors also enjoy the Levine Center for the Arts and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is where you’ll find Broadway shows and other theater performances, as well as concerts.
For those who love the local scene, many neighborhoods such as NoDa and Plaza Midwood showcase art galleries, street art and live music.
One of the Healthiest Cities for Job Growth Last Year
Charlotte celebrated a great year of job growth in 2022. With 16.2 percent of growth year-over-year, it was the second highest growth rate of U.S. metro areas in one study. Some credit the move toward remote work opportunities propelled by the pandemic as a reason folks moving out of other major metro areas to those in the south. This is reflected in Charlotte’s unemployment rate, which was just 3.2 percent in May 2023.
Job seekers will find several industries thriving here, including banking and financial services, manufacturing, energy, automotive, health, technology and retail. The major employers reflect this, with Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Lending Tree, Duke Energy, Lowe’s and Amazon all having a presence in this metropolitan area.
Hopeful Home Buyers May Have Some Luck in Charlotte
As of the 2021 Census, the median household income was trending just behind national numbers at $68,367. Thankfully, although the cost of living in Charlotte is slightly higher than the state average, it beats the national average by 2 percent. Unlike much of the country, that difference is largely being seen in its housing costs, which are estimated to be about 11 percent lower than the national average.
In May 2023, the median home sale price was $415,000, a 1.5 percent increase over the previous year. More homes on the market are seeing price drops, though, with fewer being sold above asking price than in 2022. This is a good trend for buyers.
Likewise, the rents in Charlotte seem lower than the national average, though their month-to-month growth rate is going up. As of July 2023, median rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $1,334, with a two-bedroom costing $1,461.
Diverse Neighborhoods for Families and Professionals
The city of Charlotte recognizes nearly 200 unique neighborhoods. Whether your taste draws you toward Victorian and Tudor-style homes in quiet family-oriented areas, or you prefer the modern high-rise living where there’s plenty to do, there are great areas to choose from. Check out these highly recommended neighborhoods for those moving to Charlotte:
DILWORTH
Families love Dilworth. Rated the best neighborhood on Niche, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places and offers a cozy, historic vibe with plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes.
NORTH DAVIDSON
The Arts District, nicknamed NoDa, is just a mile northeast of downtown. If you enjoy local events and community, this is the spot. NoDa is known for its music, art and great food and drink.
BELMONT
Adjacent to Uptown and featuring a mix of historic bungalows and high-rise condos, Belmont is a favorite among young professionals and singles. If you’re looking for great barbecue and beer, you’ll find it here.
SOUTH END
South End mixes history with contemporary and hip with its old mills and warehouses renovated to become art galleries, shops and restaurants. There’s the added benefit of being only minutes from Uptown and the airport via the light rail.
ELIZABETH
Home to the city’s first public park, Elizabeth is still one of the more walkable neighborhoods in Charlotte. Like other historic parts of the city, many of its older buildings have been converted into offices, restaurants and shops.
Other neighborhoods to include in your Charlotte home search:
- Myers Park
- Ballantyne
- Midtown
- Cherry
- Family Crossing
Charlotte’s Got CATS
The Charlotte Area Transit System, that is. Charlotte is not well known for its walkability or bike lanes, but thankfully this convenient, affordable public transportation system operates more than 70 local, regional and express bus routes. It also offers the LYNX light rail and streetcar services, with additional expansion plans in the works. Residents and long-term visitors can grab an unlimited monthly pass for just $88.
Prefer your car? You’ll hear locals complaining about the traffic, but in 2022 Charlotte ranked 26th best city to drive in out of the country’s 100 largest cities. While it’s not the best, it’s also not going to have you sitting in traffic as long as those driving through Los Angeles or Boston.
Education Opportunities in Charlotte
Although North Carolina doesn’t get any kudos for its school funding efforts, Charlotte public and private elementary schools ranked among some of the top schools in the state. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools District consists of 180 schools serving just over 140,000 students in the region and provides extensive magnet programs to nurture specific interests. The city also has nearly 100 private schools to choose from.
Those looking to complete a higher education have their choice of several universities in and around the city, including Queens University of Charlotte, the University of North Carolina–Charlotte, Davidson College and Catawba College.
The Weather is One of the Best Reasons to Move Here
Charlotte experiences all four seasons, but it sees milder winters than the north, with snow falling only a couple of times each year. It also has (somewhat) cooler summers than the far south. That means you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of outdoor activities year-round!
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 79 degrees Fahrenheit and a lot of humidity. January brings the cold, with lows averaging 31 degrees and highs hitting a mild 51.
Although Charlotte is not directly on the coast, it is sometimes impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms as they move inland. It is also located in “Dixie Alley,” which can experience a higher frequency of tornadoes than other regions of the U.S. The city doesn’t see them too often, but it’s still good to have storm plans when living in Charlotte.
10 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Charlotte
Charlotte has a lot going on: gorgeous parks and adventure spots, plenty of major and minor sports teams and great wine and delicious beer. It’s safe to say that you’ll have plenty to do when moving to Charlotte. Here’s a list of 10 must-dos in the Queen City:
- Keep active at the Whitewater Center, featuring the world’s largest human-made whitewater river. Go kayaking, paddleboarding and whitewater rafting, or stay on land with rock climbing, zip lining and more.
- Race car enthusiasts will want to visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which honors drivers, crew chiefs and owners.
- Visit one (or both) of the Mint Museum’s two locations, featuring one of the largest collections of art and design in the Southeastern U.S.
- Grab fresh produce, a glass of wine and other local goods from local farmers, entrepreneurs and artisans at the 7th Street Public Market.
- Support Charlotte’s local music scene as you shop the latest releases and best vintage albums at Lunchbox Records, a new and used record store.
- Take the family for a hands-on experience at Discovery Place Science, where you can walk through an indoor rainforest, watch life underwater in the aquariums and spark your imagination in its lab spaces.
- Get your thrill on at Carowinds, an amusement park featuring the Fury 325, the country’s fastest, tallest giga roller coaster.
- Stroll through 60,000-square feet of history and memories at the award-winning Sleepy Poet Antique Mall.
- Catch a Chicago Knights ballgame at Truist Field, named the “Best Ballpark in Minor League Baseball” by Baseball America.
- Grab a beer at the largest biergarten in the Southeastern U.S. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery prides itself on its German brewing methods and promises the freshest beer in the Carolinas.
