Charlotte, NC vs Lafayette, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Charlotte
68.1
#1344 nationally
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $71,659). Charlotte leads in cost of living index (102 vs 280). Charlotte leads in average commute (27.1 min vs 29.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.1 (#1344) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 897,720 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,231 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $71,659 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 27.1 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 26 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 2.2 |
| School Rating | 6.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+38.0 |
D+
68.1 Score
Charlotte, NC
Banking capital of the South
Median Home
$397,231
Population
897,720
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Charlotte, NC →
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →
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