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Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, NC

Beautiful Uptown Charlotte · Photo: Precisionviews, CC BY-SA 4.0

Cherryville is part of the Charlotte area. This page covers the whole metro.

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What kind of place it is

Big-city feel, Growing, Outdoorsy

Scored the same way as the quiz, against 382 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when Charlotte scores 70 or higher out of 100.

Big-city feel
86 / 100
Big-city feel: 2.6 million people in the metro, 21 buildings 20+ stories, 341 bus and train stops
Growing
77 / 100
Growing faster than 77% of metros
Outdoorsy
73 / 100
Outdoorsy: more trails, campgrounds and paddling spots than most

Less so: lively, artsy, cozy.

Everyday life
Shops, cafes, and daily routines
Hobbies & activities
Trails, parks, and pastimes
Nearby scenery
Lakes, overlooks, and drives

Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.

Around Charlotte

Aerial view of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
Aerial view of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina · Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Charlotte, NC August 28, 2021
Charlotte, NC August 28, 2021 · Photo: Jeffrey Hayes, CC BY 2.0
Aerial view of Carowinds in September 2017
Aerial view of Carowinds in September 2017 · Photo: Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
Saint Peter Catholic Church (Charlotte, North Carolina) - view from Mint Museum
Saint Peter Catholic Church (Charlotte, North Carolina) - view from Mint Museum · Photo: Nheyob, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo of the USNWC
View of Romare Bearden Park facing Uptown
View of Romare Bearden Park facing Uptown · Photo: Fortibus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Aerial image of en:Turbine interchange construction in North Carolina in 2013
Aerial image of en:Turbine interchange construction in North Carolina in 2013 · Photo: NCDOTcommunications, CC BY 2.0
Mint Museum in uptown Charlotte
Mint Museum in uptown Charlotte · Photo: Bz3rk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art — in Charlotte, North Carolina
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art — in Charlotte, North Carolina · Photo: Prasit Frazee, CC BY-SA 3.0
Carolinas Medical Center aerial shot
Carolinas Medical Center aerial shot · Photo: Atrium Health, CC BY-SA 4.0
CATS Lynx Bland Street station in Charlotte, NC
CATS Lynx Bland Street station in Charlotte, NC · Photo: Prasit Frazee, CC BY-SA 3.0
The main entrance to the Discovery Place science museum on Tryon Street in uptown...
The main entrance to the Discovery Place science museum on Tryon Street in uptown... · Photo: Ken Thomas, Public domain
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Around Charlotte

Where it is, what's close by, and trails.
Where it is
Charlotte
Charlotte in North Carolina
North Carolina in the U.S.
State outlines: U.S. Census Bureau.

What's nearby

Within 5 miles of the center of the Charlotte area.

40
grocery stores
200+
restaurants
104
coffee shops
121
parks
200+
playgrounds
15
libraries
4
movie theaters
21
live theaters
13
museums
20
bookstores
62
gyms
147
bars
15
pharmacies
13
hospitals

Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Biking and trails

Within 5 miles of the center of the Charlotte area.

Bike lanes and bike paths
125 miles
more than almost all U.S. towns
Walking and hiking trails
162 miles
more than almost all U.S. towns

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.

Costs of moving here

Rent, the move itself, and getting set up.

What rent costs

Of about 343,323 rented homes in the Charlotte area, 86% rent for under $2,000 a month and 98% for under $3,000.

Under $1,000: 23%
$1,000 to $1,499: 37%
$1,500 to $1,999: 27%
$2,000 to $2,499: 9%
$2,500 to $2,999: 3%
$3,000 or more: 2%

Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.

What moving costs

Hiring movers

Average cost: $1,946

From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.

Moving in as a renter

The middle rented home in the Charlotte area rents for $1,000 to $1,499 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $2,000 to $2,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $3,000 to $4,497 where landlords also ask for last month.

Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,000 to $1,499, that's a yearly income of about $36,000 to $53,964.

Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.

Moving to North Carolina: before and after

  • Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
  • Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the North Carolina DMV.
  • Register to vote at your new address: North Carolina voter registration.
  • Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
  • Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
  • Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.

Schools and childcare

Schools

2 public school districts in this county, with about 144,333 students in all. The county also has 31 public charter schools and 63 private schools. Which public school serves a home depends on its address.

Lake Norman CharterSugar Creek CharterMetrolina Reg Scholars AcademyQueen'S Grant Community SchoolCommunity School of DavidsonSocrates AcademyKipp CharlotteCharlotte SecondaryCorvian Community SchoolAmerican Leadership Academy CharlotteBradford Preparatory SchoolPioneer Springs Community SchoolUnited Community SchoolLakeside Charter AcademyCharlotte Lab SchoolTmsa CharlotteVeritas Community School CfaMatthews Charter AcademyUnity Classical Charter SchoolMallard Creek Stem AcademyMovement Charter SchoolEast Voyager Academy of CharlotteJackson Day SchoolNiner University ElementarySouthwest Charlotte Stem AcademyBonnie Cone Classical AcademySteele Creek Preparatory AcademyMovement School EastlandTelra InstituteBonnie Cone Leadership AcademyMovement School SouthwestLake Wylie ElementarySouth Charlotte MiddleUniversity Meadows ElementaryIrwin Academic CenterCrown Point ElementaryDavid Cox Road ElementarySmithfield ElementaryAlbemarle Road ElementaryAlbemarle Road MiddleAlexander Graham MiddleJ. M. Alexander MiddleAllenbrook ElementaryAshley Park Prek-8 SchoolBain ElementaryCharles H. Parker Academic CenterBerryhill SchoolBeverly Woods ElementaryBriarwood AcademyCarmel MiddleBillingsville ElementaryClear Creek ElementaryCochrane Collegiate AcademyCollinswood Language AcademyCornelius ElementaryCotswold ElementaryCoulwood Stem AcademyDavidson K-8 SchoolDevonshire ElementaryFirst Ward Creative Arts AcademyReid Park AcademyDruid Hills AcademyEast Mecklenburg High SchoolEastover ElementaryEastway MiddleElizabeth Traditional ElemHarding University High SchoolHickory Grove ElementaryHidden Valley ElementaryHighland Renaissance AcademyHuntersville ElementaryHuntingtowne Farms ElementaryIdlewild ElementaryIndependence High SchoolJ. H. Gunn ElementaryKennedy MiddleLansdowne ElementaryLong Creek ElementaryMatthews ElementaryMcclintock MiddleMontclaire ElementaryMyers Park High SchoolMyers Park Traditional ElemNations Ford ElementaryNewell ElementaryNorth Mecklenburg High SchoolNortheast MiddleNorthwest School of the ArtsOakdale ElementaryBruns Avenue ElementaryOlde Providence ElementaryOlympic High SchoolPark Road MontessoriPaw Creek ElementaryPiedmont Middle SchoolPineville ElementaryPinewood ElementaryPiney Grove ElementaryQuail Hollow MiddleRama Road ElementaryRandolph MiddleRanson MiddleDilworth Elem Sedgefield CampusSedgefield MiddleSelwyn ElementaryShamrock Gardens ElementarySharon ElementarySouth Academy of International LanguagesSouth Mecklenburg High SchoolStatesville Road ElementarySteele Creek ElementarySterling ElementaryThomasboro AcademyTuckaseegee ElementaryWest Charlotte High SchoolWest Mecklenburg High SchoolWesterly Hills AcademyWindsor Park ElementaryWinterfield ElementaryGreenway Park ElementaryWinding Springs ElementaryElizabeth Lane ElementaryGov'S Village Stem (Lower)Northridge MiddleUniversity Park Creative ArtsMcalpine ElementaryMerry Oaks International AcademyReedy Creek ElementaryMallard Creek ElementaryMckee Road ElementaryProvidence High SchoolHawthorne Academy of Health SciencesLebanon Road ElementaryHornets Nest ElementaryButler High SchoolJames Martin MiddleJulius L. Chambers High SchoolCrestdale MiddleFrancis Bradley MiddleGov'S Village Stem (Upper)Blythe ElementaryHawk Ridge ElementaryHopewell High SchoolHighland Mill MontessoriJay M. Robinson MiddleMountain Island Lake AcademyPhillip O Berry Academy of TechnologyProvidence Spring ElementaryWalter G. Byers SchoolEndhaven ElementaryJoseph W Grier AcademyMint Hill MiddleSouthwest Middle SchoolOaklawn Language AcademyChantilly MontessoriCommunity House MiddleMartin Luther King Jr MiddleTorrence Creek ElementaryMallard Creek High SchoolElon Park ElementaryCentral Piedmont Early CollegeWinget Park ElementaryBailey MiddleHighland Creek ElementaryJ.V. Washam ElementaryArdrey Kell High SchoolCato Middle College High SchoolWhitewater AcademyBarnette ElementaryBallantyne ElementaryPolo Ridge ElementaryCroft Community SchoolMilitary and Global LeadershipBerewick ElementaryRidge Road MiddleRiver Gate ElementaryRiver Oaks AcademyStoney Creek ElementaryWhitewater MiddleDilworth Elementary School Latta CampusRocky River High SchoolWilliam Amos Hough HighGaringer High SchoolGrand Oak ElementaryPalisades Park ElementaryLincoln Heights MontessoriHarper Middle College HighChar Eng Early College-UnccLevine Middle College High SchStarmount Academy of ExcellenceLawrence Orr ElementaryOakhurst Steam AcademyParkside ElementaryCharlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual SchoolWilliams Secondary MontessoriRenaissance West Steam AcademyCharlotte Teacher Early CollegeVaughan Academy of TechnologyMarie G Davis SchoolMerancas Middle College-CpccVilla Heights ElementaryCharlotte East Language AcademyWilson Stem AcademyRea Farms Steam AcademyNorth Academy of World LanguagesSouth Pine AcademyPalisades High SchoolMint Hill Elementary SchoolGrove Park Elementary SchoolEsperanza Global AcademyMovement School NorthwestSt Ann Catholic School (private)Charlotte Catholic High School (private)Providence Day School (private)Charlotte Latin School (private)Charlotte Christian School (private)Charlotte Country Day School (private)Northside Christian Academy (private)Matthews Christian Academy (private)Adventist Christian Academy (private)Berean Jr Academy (private)Davidson Day School (private)Christ Classical Academy of Charlotte (private)Brookstone Schools (private)Trinity Episcopal School (private)Brtish International School of Charlotte (private)Grace Covenant Academy (private)St Mark Catholic School (private)South Charlotte Baptist Academy (private)Charlotte Islamic Academy (private)Kids R Kids Academy at Blakeney (private)Lake Norman Christian School (private)Palisades Episcopal School (private)Philips Academy (private)Cyzner Institute (private)Epiphany School of Charlotte (private)Charlotte Preparatory School (private)Crossway Academy (private)Alc Mosaic (Mosaic School) (private)St Matthew Catholic School (private)Sedgefield School (private)Covenant Day School (private)Faith Baptist Christian School (private)Intellicor International Academy (private)Kent Academy (private)Kiddie Academy of Charlotte-Blakeney (private)Cedarwood Academy (private)Charlotte Leadership Academy (private)Cornerstone Adventist Academy (private)Primrose School of Huntersville (private)Guidepost Montessori at Lake Norman (private)Brisbane Academy (private)Emerald School of Excellence (private)Fusion Academy and Learning Center - Charlotte (private)Teaching Achieving Students Academy (private)The Halton School (private)The Nest Academy (private)Friendship Day School for the Sciences & the Arts (private)Fusion Charlotte (private)Lock and Key Academy (private)The John Crosland School (private)The Fletcher School (private)Omni Montessori School (private)United Faith Christian Academy (private)Victory Christian Center School (private)Southlake Christian Academy (private)Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School (private)Manus Academy (private)Christian Montessori School at Lake Norman (private)Trinity Christian Preparatory School (private)Guidepost Montessori School (private)Charlotte Jewish Day School (private)Christ Church Preschool and Kindergarten (private)Charlotte Montessori School (private)CABARRUS COUNTYIREDELL COUNTYLINCOLN COUNTYGASTON COUNTYMECKLENBURG COUNTYSTANLY COUNTYROWAN COUNTYUNION COUNTYCharlotte
Public Public charter Private County line District that covers the center of Charlotte: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
District and county lines: U.S. Census Bureau. Tap a dot for details. A home's assigned school depends on its address; check with the district before you buy or rent.

Closest public schools to the center of Charlotte

Elementary
First Ward Creative Arts Academy0.6 mi
Public
grades K to 5 · 447 students · 12.8 per teacher
Passed the state test: math about 54% (state: reading about 48%, math about 50%)
Irwin Academic Center0.8 mi
Public
grades K to 5 · 381 students · 15.9 per teacher
Passed the state test: math about 74% (state: reading about 48%, math about 50%)
Walter G. Byers School1.2 mi
Public
grades Pre-K to 8 · 320 students · 12.3 per teacher
Passed the state test: math about 27% (state: reading about 48%, math about 50%)
Middle
Piedmont Middle School1.1 mi
Public
grades 6 to 8 · 1,130 students · 21.3 per teacher
Passed the state test: math about 73% (state: reading about 48%, math about 50%)
Walter G. Byers School1.2 mi
Public
grades Pre-K to 8 · 320 students · 12.3 per teacher
Passed the state test: math about 27% (state: reading about 48%, math about 50%)
Charlotte Lab School1.6 mi
Public charter
grades K to 12 · 1,002 students · 15 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading about 54%, math about 47% (state: reading about 48%, math about 50%)
High school
Central Piedmont Early College1.0 mi
Public
grades 9 to 13 · 178 students · 19.8 per teacher
Charlotte Lab School1.6 mi
Public charter
grades K to 12 · 1,002 students · 15 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading about 54%, math about 47% (state: reading about 48%, math about 50%)
Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences1.6 mi
Public
grades 9 to 12 · 253 students · 16.9 per teacher
Private
Brookstone Schools0.5 mi
Private
grades K to 8 · 207 students · 10.3 per teacher
Trinity Episcopal School0.8 mi
Private
grades K to 8 · 441 students · 8.8 per teacher
Epiphany School of Charlotte1.0 mi
Private
grades 4 to 9 · 19 students · 3.4 per teacher

Straight-line miles from the center of Charlotte, nearest first. Being closest doesn't mean a school serves a given home. "Passed the state test" is the share of students who scored proficient or better on North Carolina's own reading and math tests in the 2021-22 school year, the latest year the U.S. Department of Education has published for every school. Each state sets its own test and passing bar, so compare schools within the same state, not across states. Test results track family income closely and leave out a lot (teachers, programs, how a school fits your child). For newer results, see the state's school report card.

Public school districts in the county

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools · Charlotte
144,197 students · 16.6 students per teacher · 180 schools · grades Pre-K to 13
Niner University Elementary School · Charlotte
136 students · 1 school · grades K to 4

School choice and pre-K in North Carolina

Going to school in another district
State law doesn't set an open enrollment rule between districts. Transfers, where allowed, are up to the districts.
Picking a different school in your district
State law doesn't set a rule for switching schools within a district; it's up to each district.
Free state pre-K
21% of 4-year-olds in North Carolina attend state-funded pre-K (U.S.: 37% and 9%). Spots, hours and who qualifies vary by district.

School choice: state law as summarized by the Education Commission of the States, 50-State Comparison: Open Enrollment Policies (2022). Pre-K: share of children in state-funded pre-K, National Institute for Early Education Research, State of Preschool 2025 Yearbook (2024-25 school year).

NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Private schools: NCES Private School Survey, 2021-22. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For programs and newer results, see each district's site and the state's school report card.

Childcare and colleges

Daycare and preschool

North Carolina keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.

Typical full-time prices in this county (2022)
AgeDaycare centerHome daycare
Infant (under 2)$284/week
about $14,800 a year
$189/week
about $9,800 a year
Toddler (2)$251/week
about $13,100 a year
Preschool (3 to 4)$171/week
about $8,900 a year
$180/week
about $9,400 a year
School-age$90/week
about $4,700 a year

For an infant at a center: $284/week here, $220 across NC, $259 across the U.S.. Full-time infant care at a center here costs about 15% of a typical family's income. These are 2022 prices, the newest the government has published by county, and prices have gone up since.

U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022. Middle (median) price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures average the county prices, weighted by population (Census 2024).
Search licensed childcare in North Carolina →
Link via childcare.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

17 colleges in the county and the wider metro around Charlotte. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte
Public, 4-year · 30,298 students · $7,214 in-state, $21,876 out-of-state
Central Piedmont Community College · Charlotte
Public, 2-year (community college) · 18,446 students · $2,792 in-state, $8,936 out-of-state
Davidson College · Davidson
Private nonprofit, 4-year · 1,904 students · $60,050 a year
Queens University of Charlotte · Charlotte
Private nonprofit, 4-year · 1,846 students · $42,790 a year
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte · Charlotte
Private nonprofit, 4-year · 1,128 students · $39,992 a year

Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less, and community colleges often charge even less to people who live in their district. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.

IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.

The facts behind it
Typical home value
$381,392
What a typical home sells for across the Charlotte area.
Source: Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026
Cost of living
About 3% below the U.S. average
Everyday prices (rent, groceries, services) run about $97 here for what costs $100 nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis price index 97.3 (U.S. = 100), 2024
Average commute
27 minutes one way
How long residents' trips to work take on average, counting every job and way of getting there. U.S. average: about 27 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
Data centers nearby
5 within 15 miles
The nearest is about 6.6 miles from the town center. The largest is about 94,000 sq ft.
Source: PNNL IM3 Data Center Atlas, from OpenStreetMap (ODbL), loaded July 2026
Homeowners insurance
About $3,124 a year
The statewide average for a typical policy in NC. Your own quote will depend on the home.
Source: Statewide estimate, 2026
Natural disaster risk
Relatively High
FEMA's overall rating for the county, covering floods, storms, wildfire, earthquakes and more.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Hail risk
Relatively High
Hail is a real cost here: roof claims are common and some insurers charge a separate, higher deductible for wind and hail. Covered parking helps protect a car.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Hospitals nearby
13 within 5 miles
Hospitals mapped within 5 miles of the center. Emergency and specialty care vary, so check which ones fit your needs.
Source: OpenStreetMap (ODbL)
Drug overdose deaths (county)
16 per 100,000 people a year
193 deaths in the 12 months ending March 2026. NC average: 20.2 per 100,000. U.S.: 19.9. Counts are by where people lived, and recent months may still be updated.
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, provisional counts through March 2026; Census population estimates 2024
People without housing (local count)
About 17.5 per 10,000 residents
HUD's one-night count in January 2025 found 2,117 people without housing in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg County area: 1,657 in shelters and 460 outside, up from 2,095 in 2024. NC: 14 per 10,000. U.S.: 21.9. One-night counts miss people, and how areas count differs.
Source: HUD Point-in-Time Count, January 2025 (HUD, 2025 report to Congress); Census population estimates 2024
Unemployment
3.9%
The share of people looking for work who can't find it, averaged over the year. U.S.: about 4%.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025
Median household income
$83,765
Half of households in the county earn more than this, half earn less.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
Property tax
0.75% of home value a year
About $750 a year for every $100,000 of home value.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
State income tax
Flat 3.99%
NC's state income tax. Some cities and counties add their own.
Source: 2026

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