Charlotte, North Carolina and Baltimore, Maryland are two dynamic cities with unique character and charm. They differ in aspects such as crime rates, weather, cost of living, work opportunities, and cultural experiences. This comparison aims to provide a comprehensive view of life in these cities, catering to residents considering relocation and to tourists eager to explore new places.
Distance between
Charlotte, NC and
Baltimore, MD : 365.9 miles
Charlotte's population is larger by 53%. Its population has grown by 338,881 people (62.7%) since 2000. The population of Baltimore has decreased by 74,656 people (11.5%) during that time.
In terms of safety, Charlotte has a slightly better ranking than Baltimore. Baltimore struggles with a high crime rate, particularly with violent and property crime. On the other hand, while Charlotte also has crime, the rates are relatively lower. Both cities have neighborhood watch programs and continuous efforts to improve public safety.
Cost of Living
Generally, the cost of living in Charlotte is lower than in Baltimore. Housing costs, in particular, are significantly more affordable in Charlotte. However, health care costs are slightly lower in Baltimore.
Income Tax
Baltimore has a city income tax of 3.20% on top of the Maryland state income tax of 2.00% to 5.75%. In Charlotte, residents only deal with the North Carolina state income tax, which is a flat rate of 5.25%.
Property Tax
Charlotte has lower property taxes, with a combined city and county rate of 1.31%. On the other hand, Baltimore has a significantly higher property tax rate at 2.248%.
Sales Tax
The sales tax rate in Baltimore, Maryland is 6%, with no additional local sales tax. In Charlotte, the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.25%.
Income
Type
Charlotte
Baltimore
Estimated median household income
$70,869
$54,652
Estimated per capita income
$44,593
$35,091
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
93.2
105.7
If you make $50,000 in Charlotte, you will have to make $56,706 in Baltimore to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Charlotte boasts proximity to both beaches and mountains, offering residents a plethora of outdoor activities. Baltimore, located on the Chesapeake Bay, offers a variety of water-related activities, with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and several rivers.
Both cities boast a strong educational infrastructure with well-regarded school districts, colleges, and universities. Baltimore stands out with prestigious institutions like Johns Hopkins University, while Charlotte's public school system consistently ranks high in the state of North Carolina.
Charlotte is home to an expanding economy with opportunities in the finance sector, technology, and energy. Baltimore's economy, while diverse, is more rooted in health care, science, and technology sectors. Both cities offer good job opportunities but the industries they cater to are different.
Biggest Employers
In Charlotte, the biggest employers include Atrium Health, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America. Baltimore's biggest employers are Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, the City of Baltimore, and the federal government.
In Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), 60.8% voted for Democrats and 38.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Baltimore (Baltimore city), 87.4% voted for Democrats and 11.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Charlotte
Baltimore
Charlotte
Baltimore
Charlotte
Baltimore
2020
66.8%
87.5%
31.6%
10.7%
1.6%
1.8%
2016
62.3%
84.8%
32.9%
10.5%
4.8%
4.6%
2012
60.8%
87.4%
38.3%
11.1%
0.9%
1.4%
2008
62.0%
87.6%
37.6%
11.7%
0.5%
0.6%
2004
51.7%
82.5%
48.0%
17.1%
0.3%
0.5%
2000
48.4%
82.9%
51.1%
14.2%
0.5%
2.9%
1996
48.6%
79.3%
45.9%
15.5%
5.5%
5.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Charlotte
Baltimore
Charlotte
Baltimore
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
9.0%
1.4%
19.0%
7.3%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
8.5%
11.0%
1.8%
8.2%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
2.3%
1.4%
1.1%
2.2%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
1.6%
1.3%
4.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.9%
1.0%
1.8%
4.3%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.1%
1.9%
0.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.5%
1.5%
1.5%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
0.4%
0.9%
1.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.3%
0.6%
1.2%
1.5%
Weather
Charlotte experiences a more balanced combination of all four seasons, with hot summers and generally mild winters. Baltimore, on the other hand, is located in the Mid-Atlantic, which features more tolerable heat in summer, but can be faced with harsher and snow-filled winters.
Weather and climate
Type
Charlotte
Baltimore
Temperature - Average
61°F
54.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
72.3%
70.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
41%
36%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
84%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
46%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
44.5 in
42.9 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
10.2 in
39.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
18.1%
17.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.8%
60.3%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
14%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
70%
63%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
56%
47%
Wind speed - Average
6.9 mph
7.9 mph
Average climate in Charlotte, North Carolina
Average climate in Baltimore, Maryland
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Charlotte
Baltimore
Charlotte
Baltimore
Charlotte
Baltimore
Charlotte
Baltimore
Charlotte
Charlotte
Baltimore
Charlotte
Baltimore
Charlotte
Baltimore
2018
75
89
0.24
0.23
6.3
11.8
27.8
28.3
N/A
N/A
15.5
N/A
8.2
7.9
0.2
0.1
2017
77
89
0.25
0.25
7.0
12.1
28.0
27.7
N/A
N/A
16.3
N/A
8.8
8.2
0.2
0.2
2016
82
102
0.25
0.26
7.6
13.0
28.7
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.4
7.7
0.2
0.3
2015
76
89
0.25
0.28
8.1
12.4
27.6
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
9.5
0.2
0.4
2014
76
82
0.26
0.25
8.5
11.8
26.3
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
10.9
0.3
0.6
2013
71
86
0.29
0.22
8.4
10.7
25.5
25.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
9.6
0.3
0.5
2012
95
98
0.28
0.24
8.7
11.3
27.3
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
11.2
0.3
0.5
2011
94
101
0.34
0.24
10.1
12.5
28.9
25.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.2
12.1
0.6
0.8
2010
97
110
0.33
0.24
11.8
13.1
28.0
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.6
12.2
1.0
1.0
2009
82
84
0.30
0.23
10.0
12.2
25.4
23.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.1
10.4
0.9
1.4
2008
102
96
0.32
0.25
11.2
13.6
27.6
21.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.0
12.8
2.1
1.8
2007
108
107
0.37
0.21
13.9
13.8
29.1
23.2
0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.5
14.0
3.0
2.5
2006
107
112
0.44
N/A
13.9
12.0
27.3
24.6
0.000
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.8
14.7
3.3
N/A
2005
109
111
0.53
N/A
14.6
14.3
30.6
26.3
0.000
N/A
N/A
23.0
15.2
17.1
2.7
N/A
2004
89
108
0.53
N/A
14.6
15.3
28.9
28.0
0.001
N/A
N/A
23.1
N/A
16.3
2.8
N/A
2003
85
110
0.57
N/A
15.6
17.8
27.6
22.4
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.9
3.0
N/A
2002
103
119
0.63
N/A
15.3
17.4
32.6
19.4
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.3
2.7
5.8
2001
108
104
0.72
N/A
17.5
18.2
32.3
23.9
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.9
6.0
2000
107
101
0.79
N/A
18.0
17.0
32.6
22.4
0.014
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
6.3
Natural disasters
Type
Charlotte
Baltimore
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
111.5%
117.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
79%
40.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
9%
0%
Transportation
Public transportation in Baltimore is more developed with options like the Metro Subway, Light Rail, and MARC Train. On the other hand, Charlotte relies primarily on its CATS bus system and LYNX light rail, but as the city grows, the public transportation system continues to expand.
Transport
Type
Charlotte
Baltimore
Amtrak stations
1
2
Amtrak stations nearby
2
2
FAA registered aircraft
439
136
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
12
2
Means of transportation to work
Type
Charlotte
Baltimore
Bicycle
0.1%
0.4%
Bus
1.2%
6.2%
Carpooled
8.7%
7.3%
Car alone
86.2%
77.2%
Railroad
0.4%
0.3%
Streetcar
0%
1.2%
Subway
0%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.7%
Walked
1.5%
4.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Charlotte
Baltimore
Average
29.6 min
32.3 min
Other means
24.9 min
26.3 min
Public transportation
44.1 min
46.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Charlotte
Baltimore
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
90%
90.7%
In 2 person carpool
6.9%
7.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.8%
1%
In 4 person carpool
0.8%
0.4%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0.3%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Charlotte has proven to be an attractive investment with property values on the rise due to the city's economic and population growth. Baltimore's real estate market, while fluctuating, offers a range of options from high-end homes to affordable urban properties.
Neighborhoods
Both cities have a range of neighborhoods offering unique experiences. Charlotte is known for its tree-lined streets in communities like Myers Park and Dilworth, while Baltimore offers historic neighborhoods like Fells Point and Canton.
Houses and residents
Type
Charlotte
Baltimore
Houses
393,631
293,487
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.4
Median year apartment built
1998
1959
Median year house/condo built
1993
1944
Length of stay in the house since moving in
11.8 years
15.7 years
Houses occupied
365,269 (92.8%)
254,370 (86.7%)
Houses occupied by owners
193,930 (53.1%)
123,249 (48.5%)
Houses occupied by renters
171,339 (46.9%)
131,121 (51.5%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,482
$1,254
Median monthly housing costs
$1,302
$1,196
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$445,491
$207,303
Estimated median house or condo value
$321,400
$193,100
Median numbers of rooms
5.3
5.6
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.6
6.5
Median house price - detached houses
$388,029
$321,473
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$184,325
$218,934
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$178,624
$142,945
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$433,957
$257,173
Median house price - mobile homes
$52,977
$269,877
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$296,370
$210,096
Median house price - All housing units
$378,423
$246,241
Median house age
26
72
Renting percentage
42.6%
52.3%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,624.8
3,632.1
House value disparities
33.3%
38.5%
Household income disparities
44.1%
49.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$105,905
$85,990
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$70,681
$53,334
Housing units without a mortgage
3,089 (2.1%)
2,415 (2.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
10,553 (7.2%)
5,740 (6.6%)
Housing units with a mortgage
142,912 (97.9%)
84,578 (97.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
171 (0.1%)
579 (0.7%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,532 (9.3%)
8,544 (9.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
9
14
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
3
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.8%
6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.2%
5.1%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Charlotte
Baltimore
One, detached
52.7%
16.4%
One, attached
9.1%
49.5%
Two
0.9%
4.5%
3 or 4
2.9%
4.9%
5 to 9
7.1%
5.5%
10 to 19
9.5%
4.8%
20 to 49
6.2%
2.8%
50 or more
10.3%
11.4%
Mobile homes
1.4%
0.2%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
25,780
12,671
State government workers
16,519
20,410
Unpaid family workers
1,214
356
Industries and Occupations
Charlotte is known as the second largest banking center in the U.S., behind New York City, housing headquarters for Bank of America and major offices for Wells Fargo. Baltimore's economy, on the other hand, is heavily influenced by its proximity to Washington D.C., with many residents working in government and defense-related roles.
Both cities have a strong healthcare sector. Baltimore excels in this aspect, being home to world-renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital. Charlotte also offers quality healthcare with systems like Atrium Health and Novant Health.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Charlotte
Baltimore
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Baltimore has a more historical infrastructure with a blend of modern developments. Charlotte is often characterized by its rapid growth and development, with a skyline featuring several skyscrapers and modern architecture.
Infrastructure
Type
Charlotte
Baltimore
Hospitals
37
45
TV stations
16
19
Arenas or stadiums
3
3
Bank branches located here
202
215
Bank institutions located here
26
44
Main business address for public companies
33
27
Nuclear power plants nearby
2
0
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
24
13
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Charlotte
Baltimore
1999
3,049
2,486
2000
1,568
2,058
2001
1,382
1,371
2002
1,275
1,111
2003
1,879
1,526
2004
2,415
2,929
2005
3,078
4,981
2006
3,864
5,533
2007
3,106
3,592
2008
1,287
1,111
2009
617
381
Culture and Food
While Baltimore is known for its seafood, particularly crabs, Charlotte has a burgeoning food scene with a range of cultural influences. Both cities have a robust arts and culture scene, with Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Charlotte's NoDa arts district offering a variety of entertainment.
Sports Teams
In the field of sports, both cities have premier teams. Charlotte is known for the Carolina Panthers (NFL) and Charlotte Hornets (NBA), while Baltimore is home to the Ravens (NFL) and Orioles (MLB).
Charlotte, NC
Baltimore, MD
Charlotte, NC and 
Baltimore, MD : 365.9 miles
