Things to know before moving from New York to Charlotte, NC

Cost of living: New York vs Charlotte, NC

New York Charlotte
Average rent cost $1,507 $1,790
Average home value $482,742 $391,658
Average income (per capita) $81,386 $64,814
Unemployment rate 4% 3%
State income tax 11% 5%
  • Rent is about 19% more expensive in Charlotte than in New York.
  • Home prices are about 19% lower in Charlotte than in New York.
  • The average income is about 20% lower in Charlotte than in New York.
  • Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate than New York by about 25%.
  • Income taxes are 59% lower in Charlotte than in New York.

How life is different in Charlotte from New York

Charlotte New York
Population 874,579 19,571,216
Political leaning Republican 51-48 Democratic 60-40
Summer high 89ºF 81ºF
Winter low 30ºF 16ºF
Annual rain 43" 44"
Annual snow 2" 62"
Crime index 46.52 21.51
  • The population of Charlotte is approximately 96% lower than the population of New York.
  • In the last presidential election, Charlotte voted Republican and New York voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Charlotte is 89ºF and in New York, it’s 81ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Charlotte reaches the temperature of 30ºF and New York gets down to 16ºF.
  • You can expect about 43 inches of annual rainfall in Charlotte vs 44 inches of rainfall in New York.
  • In Charlotte, it snows about 2 inches annually vs 62 inches of snow in New York.
  • Charlotte has a higher crime rate than New York with a crime index of 46.52 vs 21.51.

Things to do in Charlotte

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Charlotte.

Museums in Charlottetoggle

  • Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
  • Billy Graham Library
  • Carolinas Aviation Museum
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fire Education Center and Museum
  • Charlotte Nature Museum in Freedom Park
  • Charlotte Trolley Museum in Historic South End
  • Discovery Place
  • Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville
  • Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
  • Historic Rosedale Plantation
  • Levine Museum of the New South
  • The Light Factory
  • McColl Center for Art + Innovation
  • Mint Museum
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame
  • Second Ward Alumni House Museum
  • Wells Fargo History Museum
  • Charlotte Museum of History

Parks in Charlottetoggle

  • Arequipa Park
  • Baxter Street Park
  • Fourth Ward Park
  • Frazier Park
  • Independence Park
  • Little Sugar Creek Greenway
  • Marshall Park
  • Ninth Street Park
  • Pearle Street Park
  • Pinewood/Elmwood Cemetery
  • Polk Park
  • Settler's Cemetery
  • The Green
  • Thompson Park

Sports Teams in Charlottetoggle

  • Carolina Panthers
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Charlotte FC
  • Charlotte Checkers
  • Charlotte Knights
  • Charlotte Independence
  • Charlotte Eagles
  • Charlotte Lady Eagles

Universities in Charlottetoggle

  • Central Piedmont Community College
  • Johnson C. Smith University
  • Johnson & Wales University
  • Queens University of Charlotte
  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Other considerations when moving to Charlotte, NC

  • Weather: Charlotte has a moderate climate. Your move is unlikely to be affected by the weather although, the rare snow day in the wintertime could make the road conditions difficult to drive on.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to North Carolina. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of New York vs. Charlotte, NC

Comparing the pros of New York vs. Charlotte, NC:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in New York vs Charlotte side-by-side.

Pros of living in New York Pros of living in Charlotte, NC
Natural beauty Delicious food
Arts Ample economic opportunity
Ample economic opportunity Quality education
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities Low cost of living
Distinct seasons Pleasant weather

Comparing the cons of living in New York vs. Charlotte, NC:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving New York for Charlotte.

Cons of living in New York Cons of living in Charlotte, NC
High tax burden Natural disasters
Rough winter weather Quiet nightlife
High cost of living Low diversity
Poor quality healthcare Terrible drivers
Populous Terrible traffic

FAQ

How long does a move from New York to Charlotte take?

The time frame for a move from New York to Charlotte, NC, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in New York, the longer the drive time to Charlotte will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Charlotte from New York can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from New York to Charlotte?

Because of the 631-mile move, it’s best to book your move from New York to Charlotte as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Charlotte, NC?

With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 30ºF, most people move to Charlotte from New York during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Charlotte during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources