Charlotte, NC, and Kansas City, MO, are two intriguing and diverse American cities with unique strengths. Both cities offer a fusion of Southern charm and Midwestern coziness, each with distinct economic opportunities, cultural offerings, and living conditions. This comprehensive guide covers the key aspects of life in both cities, from crime rates and cost of living to sports and culture, offering a detailed comparison for individuals looking to move or visit either city.
Distance between
Charlotte, NC and
Kansas City, MO : 800.8 miles
Charlotte's population is larger by 73%. Its population has grown by 338,881 people (62.7%) since 2000. The population of Kansas City has grown by 66,849 people (15.1%) during that time.
Both cities face some crime-related challenges. Charlotte's overall crime rate is higher than the national average, but lower when compared to Kansas City, particularly violent crime. Kansas City's crime rates are relatively high, especially for violent crimes. Both cities have numerous programs in place to combat crime and keep their residents safe.
Cost of Living
When comparing the cost of living, you'll find Kansas City is generally more affordable than Charlotte in various aspects, including housing and groceries. However, note that average salaries are often higher in Charlotte, which offsets the cost of living differences to some extent.
Income Tax
North Carolina has a state flat tax of 5.25% for all income levels, while Missouri implements a progressive income tax system, with rates from 1.5% to 5.4%.
Property Tax
Charlotte has lower property taxes compared to Kansas City. The property tax rate in Charlotte is approximately 0.83%, while in Kansas City, it's 1.59%.
Sales Tax
Charlotte's combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.25%, while Kansas City has a total sales tax rate of about 8.6%.
Income
Type
Charlotte
Kansas City
Estimated median household income
$70,869
$63,396
Estimated per capita income
$44,593
$36,456
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
93.2
87.3
If you make $50,000 in Kansas City, you will have to make $53,379 in Charlotte to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Charlotte is located in the Southeast part of the U.S., boasting a lush environment with multiple lakes and parks. Kansas City, on the state line of Kansas and Missouri, features more diverse geography with its rolling hills, rivers, and bluffs.
Both cities have impressive educational infrastructures; Charlotte is served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, celebrated for its high academic standards. Meanwhile, Kansas City boasts some of the top-ranked schools in Missouri, as well as numerous renowned colleges and universities.
Charlotte is a major financial hub, hosting several Fortune 500 companies including Bank of America. Alternatively, Kansas City’s economy is more diversified with sectors ranging from telecommunications to agriculture making significant contributions.
Biggest Employers
Charlotte's biggest employers are Wells Fargo and the Carolinas Healthcare System, whereas in Kansas City, the Federal Government, and the University of Kansas Hospital top the chart.
In Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), 60.8% voted for Democrats and 38.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Kansas City (Jackson County), 58.9% voted for Democrats and 39.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Charlotte
Kansas City
Charlotte
Kansas City
Charlotte
Kansas City
2020
66.8%
60.1%
31.6%
38.1%
1.6%
1.8%
2016
62.3%
55.5%
32.9%
38.1%
4.8%
6.4%
2012
60.8%
58.9%
38.3%
39.3%
0.9%
1.7%
2008
62.0%
62.1%
37.6%
36.8%
0.5%
1.1%
2004
51.7%
58.2%
48.0%
41.4%
0.3%
0.4%
2000
48.4%
59.0%
51.1%
38.4%
0.5%
2.5%
1996
48.6%
56.2%
45.9%
34.3%
5.5%
9.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Charlotte
Kansas City
Charlotte
Kansas City
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
9.0%
9.5%
19.0%
13.7%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
8.5%
10.3%
1.8%
6.4%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
2.3%
0.3%
1.1%
1.4%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
0.8%
1.3%
1.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.9%
0.2%
1.8%
1.0%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.0%
1.9%
0.1%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.5%
1.5%
1.0%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.3%
1.4%
0.9%
1.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.3%
0.4%
1.2%
1.1%
SALVATION ARMY
0.1%
0.4%
0.4%
0.6%
Weather
Charlotte enjoys a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers, while Kansas City experiences a humid continental climate with colder winters and similarly hot summers. Cyclonic weather risks can be higher in Kansas City due to its geographical location in America's "Tornado Alley."
Weather and climate
Type
Charlotte
Kansas City
Temperature - Average
61°F
56.2°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
72.3%
76.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
41%
30.1%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
86%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
46%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
44.5 in
36.3 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
10.2 in
38 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
18.1%
20.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.8%
67.3%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
14%
25.9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
70%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
56%
48%
Wind speed - Average
6.9 mph
11.2 mph
Average climate in Charlotte, North Carolina
Average climate in Kansas City, Missouri
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Charlotte
Kansas City
Charlotte
Kansas City
Charlotte
Kansas City
Charlotte
Kansas City
Charlotte
Charlotte
Kansas City
Charlotte
Kansas City
Charlotte
Kansas City
2018
75
89
0.24
0.29
6.3
11.1
27.8
29.6
N/A
N/A
15.5
24.5
8.2
7.4
0.2
0.9
2017
77
88
0.25
0.29
7.0
11.6
28.0
30.4
N/A
N/A
16.3
26.7
8.8
10.0
0.2
1.4
2016
82
85
0.25
0.30
7.6
12.0
28.7
28.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.9
8.4
9.0
0.2
1.5
2015
76
90
0.25
0.30
8.1
12.9
27.6
28.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
33.6
8.6
8.3
0.2
4.6
2014
76
90
0.26
0.28
8.5
13.0
26.3
28.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
28.5
9.3
9.3
0.3
5.0
2013
71
88
0.29
0.41
8.4
13.2
25.5
29.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
30.8
8.6
10.3
0.3
5.6
2012
95
105
0.28
0.52
8.7
14.2
27.3
31.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
10.3
0.3
6.4
2011
94
108
0.34
0.45
10.1
15.0
28.9
29.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.2
10.9
0.6
4.8
2010
97
97
0.33
0.40
11.8
15.0
28.0
27.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.6
11.9
1.0
5.4
2009
82
96
0.30
0.29
10.0
14.8
25.4
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.1
9.6
0.9
6.1
2008
102
89
0.32
0.40
11.2
17.0
27.6
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.0
11.5
2.1
6.0
2007
108
104
0.37
0.42
13.9
18.4
29.1
29.1
0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.5
13.1
3.0
4.2
2006
107
104
0.44
0.36
13.9
18.5
27.3
29.2
0.000
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.8
12.4
3.3
5.1
2005
109
105
0.53
0.55
14.6
18.3
30.6
28.4
0.000
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.2
N/A
2.7
4.5
2004
89
83
0.53
0.45
14.6
11.6
28.9
26.2
0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.8
4.0
2003
85
99
0.57
0.41
15.6
10.9
27.6
28.0
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
3.0
2002
103
100
0.63
0.40
15.3
8.9
32.6
27.0
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.7
2.5
2001
108
88
0.72
0.52
17.5
7.9
32.3
27.0
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.9
1.2
2000
107
102
0.79
0.75
18.0
8.8
32.6
29.2
0.014
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
2.2
Natural disasters
Type
Charlotte
Kansas City
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
111.5%
200.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
79%
598.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
9%
24%
Transportation
Both cities have extensive transportation networks. Charlotte's LYNX light rail system and Kansas City's KC Streetcar offer efficient public transit options, supplementing the bus services in both cities.
Transport
Type
Charlotte
Kansas City
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
2
3
FAA registered aircraft
439
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
12
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Charlotte
Kansas City
Bicycle
0.1%
0.4%
Bus
1.2%
1.5%
Carpooled
8.7%
8.7%
Car alone
86.2%
86.8%
Railroad
0.4%
0%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.2%
Walked
1.5%
1.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Charlotte
Kansas City
Average
29.6 min
25.5 min
Other means
24.9 min
21.7 min
Public transportation
44.1 min
38.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Charlotte
Kansas City
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
90%
89.4%
In 2 person carpool
6.9%
8%
In 3 person carpool
1.8%
2.1%
In 4 person carpool
0.8%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Charlotte's real estate market has seen a consistent growth pattern, and it's often rated as one of the top housing markets in the country. Kansas City also displays positive growth, but homes here are typically more affordable.
Neighborhoods
Charlotte is known for its diverse and attractive neighborhoods, like Plaza Midwood, while Kansas City prides itself on neighborhoods steeped in history, such as the Country Club Plaza District.
Houses and residents
Type
Charlotte
Kansas City
Houses
393,631
243,950
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.3
Median year apartment built
1998
1975
Median year house/condo built
1993
1967
Length of stay in the house since moving in
11.8 years
12 years
Houses occupied
365,269 (92.8%)
219,020 (89.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
193,930 (53.1%)
118,384 (54.1%)
Houses occupied by renters
171,339 (46.9%)
100,636 (45.9%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,482
$933.71
Median monthly housing costs
$1,302
$1,092
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$445,491
$71,644
Estimated median house or condo value
$321,400
$213,400
Median numbers of rooms
5.3
5.5
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.6
6.6
Median house price - detached houses
$388,029
$250,072
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$184,325
$212,485
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$178,624
$147,015
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$433,957
$274,597
Median house price - mobile homes
$52,977
$19,650
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$296,370
$203,232
Median house price - All housing units
$378,423
$247,285
Median house age
26
52
Renting percentage
42.6%
43.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,624.8
778
House value disparities
33.3%
36%
Household income disparities
44.1%
43.9%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$105,905
$96,255
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$70,681
$64,961
Housing units without a mortgage
3,089 (2.1%)
1,566 (2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
10,553 (7.2%)
5,650 (7.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
142,912 (97.9%)
77,422 (98%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
171 (0.1%)
403 (0.5%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,532 (9.3%)
6,848 (8.7%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
9
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.8%
3.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.2%
2.2%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Charlotte
Kansas City
One, detached
52.7%
60.7%
One, attached
9.1%
3.9%
Two
0.9%
3.1%
3 or 4
2.9%
4.4%
5 to 9
7.1%
5.8%
10 to 19
9.5%
6.2%
20 to 49
6.2%
5.8%
50 or more
10.3%
9.3%
Mobile homes
1.4%
0.6%
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
13,035
State government workers
16,519
6,835
Unpaid family workers
1,214
197
Industries and Occupations
Charlotte is strong in financial services, healthcare, and motorsports, while Kansas City is known for its information technology, manufacturing, and service industries.
Charlotte benefits from numerous top-rated hospitals, particularly Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center. Kansas City also has high-quality healthcare facilities, such as the University of Kansas Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Charlotte
Kansas City
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Charlotte's infrastructure is rapidly expanding, with increasing investments in transportation, tech, and green energy. Kansas City also boasts significant infrastructure development, notably in downtown revitalization and the Tech industry.
Infrastructure
Type
Charlotte
Kansas City
Hospitals
37
30
TV stations
16
14
Arenas or stadiums
3
2
Bank branches located here
202
140
Bank institutions located here
26
41
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
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Charlotte
Kansas City
1999
3,049
1,565
2000
1,568
1,758
2001
1,382
1,494
2002
1,275
1,380
2003
1,879
1,975
2004
2,415
3,011
2005
3,078
3,470
2006
3,864
3,499
2007
3,106
2,228
2008
1,287
742
2009
617
447
Culture and Food
Charlotte's southern charm permeates its cultural scene, famous for barbecue and Charlotte-style "caviar." Kansas City is also renowned for its barbecue offerings, jazz music heritage, and the world-class Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
Sports Teams
Both cities are sports-oriented. Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers (NFL) and Charlotte Hornets (NBA), while Kansas City hosts the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) and the Kansas City Royals (MLB).
Charlotte, NC
Kansas City, MO
Charlotte, NC and 
Kansas City, MO : 800.8 miles
