Charlotte at a Glance
The Research Triangle may be the academic hub of the Tar Heel State, but Charlotte is North Carolina’s shining crown. The Queen City was incorporated in 1768, and the gold in its mines fueled the nation’s first fever for precious metals long before the big rush westward. Charlotte also found early success in textiles, and these foundational empires made the city royally flush in many arenas, from transportation to retail and energy.
Schools like UNC Charlotte, Davidson and Johnson C. Smith University help fuel the workforce of this financial hub, where Fortune 500s like Truist, Bank of America and Brighthouse Financial have all made their headquarters. And, the city’s diverse industry sectors make Charlotte as commercially well-rounded as many coastal giants. But the scale of the city keeps the cost of living at bay, which may be why nearly 200,000 people have moved here since 2010.
With a population of nearly 1 million, Charlotte is — by far — the largest city in North Carolina, exceeding the combined populations of Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh — the North Carolina state capital — by nearly 71,000. Being in the rolling hills of the Piedmont gives residents easy access to businesses in the Triangle, Atlanta and Columbia, South Carolina, but it’s the mountains and beaches that make this city such an easy sell.
When Charlotteans aren’t at work, they’re hard at play. You’ll find them watching NASCAR, seeing the Carolina Opera and fly fishing on the Catawba. You’ll find them strolling the exhibitions at the Mint Museum and meeting local birds of prey at the Carolina Raptor Center. Or maybe they’re all cheering on the Carolina Panthers — hard — after the 2023 season, they can use all the help they can get.
Whether you’re an outdoorsman, a bookworm, an artist or a speed fiend, Charlotte has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a family-friendly city with great career options and lots to do outdoors, Charlotte may be the city for you. Learn more below about the city’s weather, cost of living, job market, neighborhoods and area attractions.
Charlotte’s Climate and Weather
People may say they’re looking for a city with charm, an affordable cost of living and loads of cultural appeal, but when it comes down to brass tacks, what everyone wants is a place with good weather. Charlotte is the rare city that delivers on all these fronts, even if you will have to deal with some sticky summers and big thunderstorms.
If you’re moving to the Queen City to escape the snows and bracing winds of the nation’s uppermost climes, Charlotte winters will feel brief and wonderful. Lows average only in the 30s F, and there will be a chance for a quaint dusting of snow — sometimes enough for a snowboy but hardly ever for a full-grown snowman. You can take kids to the nearby Chutes for some snowless tubing or go on a day trip to places like Sugar Mountain or Beech Mountain for a taste of the real thing. Skiing on these peaks can be fast and icy, which is pretty thrilling for the youth but sometimes terrifying for those with a higher center of gravity and less flexible ACLs.
Spring and fall are long and pleasant in the Piedmont region. The piney understory comes alive with redbuds and dogwoods by mid-March, followed by rhododendrons, mountain laurel and many fragrant blossoms. In the autumn, expect loads of traveling leaf-peepers on the hunt for the perfect red maple and a side of apple cider doughnuts from Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill. Be sure to try a pint of their hard cider while it lasts.
Summer is Charlotte’s imperfect season — steamy, hot and sometimes hotter than hot. Highs average in the 90s from May to September, but the mercury can spike over 100 F anytime Mother Nature feels like it. Regular rains (44” annually) provide relief from the heat, but watch out for both floods and drought, here.
Charlotte’s Job Market: Opportunities Across Industries
Charlotte’s reputation as a major financial hub truly precedes it. It’s the headquarters of companies like Truist and Bank of America, but it’s also the home of 10 Fortune 500s across a diverse portfolio of industries, from retail to chemical manufacturers to communications. Lowe’s, Duke Energy and Sonic Automotive are just three of the corporations based in the Charlotte metro area, so you don’t need to be in finance to thrive in the Queen City.
Though its importance can’t be understated, Financial Activities isn’t the largest sector in the city — it’s only the fifth, employing 121,000 metro area residents. The largest industry in Charlotte is still one of the oldest — Trade, Transportation & Utilities — which employs over 274,000 people, followed by Professional & Business Services, which employs 228,000. Most industries fared well in the city from 2023 to 2024, and both Education & Health Services and Leisure & Hospitality, which each employ just under 150,000 people, saw notable growth. And even though the state capital is Raleigh, the government employs a substantial number of Charlotte-area residents — 50,000 more than finance, even.
Wages in the city are generally a bit lower than the national average, but positions in the financial sector tend to top rates in other parts of the U.S., which may help to ensure that the Queen City’s crown doesn’t lose its luster. Financial managers can expect to earn an average of $87.88/hour compared to the U.S. average of $84.05, but registered nurses take home only $40.42/hour compared to their national counterparts’ $45.42. That disparity may be especially glaring during your annual check-up. Maybe say you work as a freelance writer when it’s time for that flu shot…
Education in Charlotte: Access to Quality Systems
Queen City is served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), one of the largest public school districts in North Carolina. The Highland School of Technology (Gaston County) is ranked 10th in the state, and Providence High School (CMS) is ranked 12th, but there are also many fine private institutions in the area, including Charlotte Country Day School and Charlotte Latin School.
We have to admit that in the realm of higher education, North Carolina cities outside the Research Triangle do sit somewhat in the shadow. But UNC Charlotte is no shrinking violet. With 30,000 students and 165+ programs from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees, it’s not necessary to be adjacent to the capital to get a great education. Other popular schools in the area include Davidson College, Johnson & Wales University, Queens University of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College and Johnson C. Smith University, a highly selective HBCU.
Cost of Living in Charlotte: Affordability Amidst Growth
Like many cities in the Southeast, Charlotte offers a relatively affordable cost of living. Common household expenses like food, transportation, personal insurance/pensions and healthcare all fall below the national average. Real estate in the city is a different story, however.
While housing prices in the Queen City aren’t exactly as royally unaffordable as they might be in other financial hubs (looking at you San Fran and NYC), they are substantially higher than the average U.S. city. From 2018-2022, the median home value in Charlotte averaged $312,800 — nearly $30,000 more than the national average. But compared to other major cities in North Carolina, like Durham, Raleigh and spendy Chapel Hill, Charlotte prices won’t cause sticker shock for most Tar Heels.
Rental rates in Charlotte are some of the highest in the state, and the $1,399 the average Charlottean spends every month is less than $20 below Chapel Hill’s rates. Homeownership in the city is just above 52% — more than 10 points below the national average — so it may be harder to leap from renter to homeowner than it seems.
Exploring Charlotte’s Neighborhoods: From Uptown to the Suburbs
Uptown
Charlotte prides itself on upsetting expectations, and to that end, what’s down is up in the city center — Uptown, which is Charlotte’s downtown core. This welcoming urban epicenter is the city’s commercial and cultural hub, where you’ll find the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Gantt Center for African American Culture, among others. Those making their commute into the city each day can relax on the Skyline Trail or in Romare Bearden Park whenever IRL activities get a little too real. After work, take in a show at the Charlotte Ballet, or dine out in Uptown’s great restaurants, like Sea Level, which brings the riches of North Carolina’s coastal waters to the financial heart of the state. Those making their commute into the city each day can relax on the Skyline Trail or in Romare Bearden Park whenever IRL activities get a little too real. After work, take in a show at the Charlotte Ballet, or dine out in Uptown’s great restaurants, like Sea Level, which brings the riches of North Carolina’s coastal waters to the financial heart of the state. Or, grab co*cktails and regional fare from our favorite spot, Haymaker, where you’ll fall in love with new Southern specialties like preserved butterbeans, brined pork collar with black-eyed pea puree, and NC mountain trout with Carolina Gold rice. Get an order of their crispy cornbread with all the sides, especially the trout caviar and crème fraiche. Real estate in this bustling area varies from modest apartments and condos to truly palatial penthouses, and most residences are within multi-family buildings. You will find the very occasional single-family home in Uptown, like the famous “Bootlegger” house.
South End
If you want to be close to the action but still need a place for your kids to go when you whimper, “Please go play outside,” Charlotte’s South End may be right up your alley. This walkable, shoppable, bikeable district is right on the rail trail, and you’ll find indie boutiques, coffee shops, bistros and public art everywhere you look. One of our favorite pieces on the trail is the Color Forest, created by local art star Ivan Toth Depeña. In 2027, you’ll see his work on an even grander scale as part of the city’s new pedestrian bridge over I-277, making a direct connection between South End and Uptown. If you’re searching for some retail therapy, you’ll find many national brands in South End, but locally owned is where it’s at. Try the co*cktailery when you’re stymied for the perfect gift — everyone has room for a black walnut muddler for a little alchemical infusion, right? The Charlotte Collective showcases over a dozen local brands in its fun storefront, and Derby City Skates can outfit your whole squad in a whole pair of wheels all the accoutrement you need to throw down at the next CLTRD event. South End has charming bungalows from the 1920s, mid-century brick Colonials and the occasional McMansion. Prices are steep in this sought-after area — $400,000 might not even score you 1200 sf.
Dilworth
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Dilworth charms residents with its clapboard cottages and craftsman-style bungalows, but there is lots of new construction in this trendy area. Housing prices are steep, and you’re unlikely to find even a modest condominium for less than $300,000. The proximity to Uptown and great shopping and dining keeps the bar set high. Wine bars, like the Dilworth Tasting Room, tasty brunch spots like 300 East and modern Indian spots like Copper make Dilworth a destination for all Charlotteans.
Myers Park
Housing gets even grander in the nearby southeastern suburb of Myers Park. Broad avenues lined with towering oaks and gorgeous, historic homes encircle Queens University of Charlotte. This tony neighborhood has its own country club and easy access to Freedom Park and the Discovery Nature Center. This special natural history haven is undergoing a major renovation by Hood Design Studio that promises incredible new additions, including a tree canopy walk that will take you 40 feet into the timber tops.
NoDa
Anyone who thinks Charlotte is only a financial hub has yet to experience NoDa. Brick buildings become colorful palettes for street murals in this artsy and diverse neighborhood north of Davidson Street. The Neighborhood Theatre showed moving pictures when it opened in 1945, but as the venue enters its 10th decade, it has managed to hold onto much of its 90s grunge, sometimes in the form of literal grime, but mostly in its spirit of irreverence. Heist Brewpub broke some rules of its own in this former textile milling district, becoming Charlotte’s first craft brewery in 2012, but several others have since followed suit. If you’re just looking for a sweet way to start the day in the Queen City, Reigning Doughnuts can hook you up. Coincidentally, the best way to end that day is with the mushroom tortelloni at Ever Andalo, which just happens to be run by the same doughnut-frying proprietors, Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel. Housing prices in NoDa are more approachable than other Charlotte hotbeds, and there are lots of townhomes in addition to single families in this fun district.
Note: If you’re planning to move to Charlotte, it’s important to thoroughly research the neighborhoods and areas in the city you might be interested in living. Before you decide where you are going to reside, make sure you understand the neighborhood’s cost of living, commute time, tax rates, safety statistics and schooling information.
Getting Around in Charlotte: Navigating the City’s Transportation Network
The Charlotte Area Transit System, or CATS, provides light rail, local and express bus service, including bus rapid transit (BRT) for this city of nearly 1 million. CATS is already the largest public transit service between Atlanta and DC, but it’s about to get even bigger —new commuter and light rail lines are already in the works, as is an extension of the streetcar service. The Lynx Blue Line runs an east-west route between I-485 and UNC-Charlotte, with 24 additional stops in between. The Gold Line Streetcar has only been around since 2021, but the 4-mile, U-shaped pathway in the city center connects French Street, north of Johnson C. Smith University, with Sunnyside Avenue on the east side, crossing both I-77 and the 277 beltway.
A one-way fare on local buses and Lynx is $2.20 and a monthly pass is $88 for unlimited rides. Community shuttles cost less than a dollar per ride, and express buses are $3/ride.
Those commuting on heels or wheels will soon see an upgrade in Charlotte’s cycling infrastructure, thanks to the Uptown CycleLink. Existing paths, like the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, the Blue Line Rail Trail and the Seam Trail/Irwin Creek Greenway will be better connected to additional dedicated bike lanes in the city and 40+ miles of bikeways in and around Charlotte. Even more exciting, perhaps, is the Cross Charlotte Trail, which promises to connect one end of the city to the other through 30 miles of pathways when the remaining segments of its north-south route are complete.
As a major transportation hub, Charlotte Douglas International Airport offers easy access to all major cities in the U.S. and provides direct flights to cities from Honolulu to the Virgin Islands. So, whenever you need a break from your routine, you’ll have an easy escape to other destinations.
Charlotte’s Cultural Attractions and Enriching Experiences
The Queen City is certainly a crowning cultural center of North Carolina, with more museums, festivals, performance spaces and entertainment options than you’d find in a city twice its size. We feel the need to emphasize this as Charlotte often gets an unfair rap as the city’s stodgy corporate hub. We’re not denying that, at times, those wingtips don’t fit, but this town is more than just button-downs and fintech.
Sports
Things can get pretty rowdy at any of Charlotte’s sporting events, from the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets and the NFL’s Carolina Panthers to the city’s newest team, the Carolina Ascent — the women’s pro-Soccer team. The men’s MLS team, Charlotte FC, played its first match in 2022 but has quickly built up its fan base. Other athletic diversions in the city include Charlotte Knights’ games — the city’s MiLB team — and UNC-Charlotte 49ers games.
Events and Festivals
Don’t forget the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Whether you want to camp out for the Coca-Cola 600 or attend the annual Circle K Speed Street Festival, there’s always something (or someone) defying the laws of physics at this venue. Amateurs with a love of emergency rooms can test out the Kart Track or sign themselves up for racing school.
Speaking of festivals, with nearly 1,000,000 city residents, Charlotte has a large, captive audience for annual events, but they also draw attendees from around the Tar Heel State. Foodies will love the Taste of Charlotte, which brings three days of food, fun and inflatables to the streets of the Queen City. Kids can race down the truly terrifying Giant Slide or see how long they can hold down their lunchtime gyros in The Gyro, a spinning, spherical cage that seems designed to recalibrate most biological systems. Parents can stay out late watching music on the main stage, sipping on a hazy IPA from Hopfly, like Endless Reign — because even brewpubs aren’t immune to royal punning.
Charlotte’s festivities don’t stop there. Silver screen enthusiasts will most certainly want to attend the Charlotte Film Festival. You can commemorate Emancipation Day at the annual Juneteenth Festival or the Durag Festival. Or you can celebrate the city’s many international roots at events like the Festival of India.
Museums
All year round The Queen City’s museums offer enriching experiences. You’ll find enlightenment about the city’s past at the Charlotte Museum of History and the Levine Museum of the New South. Or ponder the possibilities of the future in the immersive, mind-benders at the Museum of Illusions-Charlotte. The renowned Mint Museum now has two locations — one in Randolph that houses its European, Ancient American and decorative collections, and one in Uptown that showcases its modern and contemporary works.
Outdoors
The Queen City is also a great place to get outdoors. Lake Norman is one of the most popular destinations in the area, not just for boating, wakeboarding and fishing, but also for land-based diversions like golfing, biking and go-karting. Three greenways pass through this area, and there’s terrific hiking at the Latta Nature Preserve and Quest Outdoor Center around Mountain Lake. Kids can take paddleboarding and kayaking lessons here and learn about local wildlife at the Carolina Raptor Center. If you just want to blow off some steam, Frankie’s has all the mini-golfing, black-lit bowling, freefalling, laser-tagging, high-speed-spinning, VR-gun-fighting action that you could hope for on a Saturday afternoon.
Just southwest of the city, Lake Wylie is a bi-state fave on the Catawba River. BYO canoe or tube, grab a sandwich from the Bagel Boat — sadly, only a watercraft in spirit — and you’re set for a day of fun.
But if you don’t want to roam far, don’t worry — there are plenty of great greenspaces in the city to enjoy. Take a jog around Freedom Park, stop and smell the flowers at the McGill Rose Garden or spend the day splashing in the Cordelia Park Pool. The shredders in your crew will be frequent guests at Renaissance Skate Park and Grayson Skate Park, which offers dedicated sessions for skating and BMX action.
If you think these activities are up your family’s alley, see how Mayflower can help you move to Charlotte.
Resources and Tips for Moving to Charlotte
Moving to Charlotte doesn’t have to be a headache. When you know how to find the right mover, relocating can be a breeze. Get a moving quote now for Charlotte.
Choose America’s Most Trusted Mover, Mayflower
Mayflower has been the nation’s most trusted mover for nearly a century. Our long-distance moving services can take the stress out of the relocation process by helping you with things like packing, unpacking, shipping your car, removing debris from your residence and storing your belongings. Find out how a customized, full-service moving package from Mayflower can help you move faster and easier. We are ready to help you make a cross-country move to Charlotte from anywhere in the U.S. See how our moving process works.
Are you making a local move to Charlotte? Our movers in North Carolina can provide local moving services to you independently under their brands and businesses.
Additional Tips for a Smooth Relocation Process
Before you pack that first box, learn how to choose a professional moving company. Use our week-by-week moving checklist to keep yourself on track and understand how moving quotes are generated so you’ll know you’re getting a good value. And it’s never too early to start planning for other parts of the move. Get pro tips on selling your home, finding a new one and staying sane and organized throughout the moving process.
Get a quote today on moving to Charlotte.
