Rent vs Buy in Charlotte, NC

Compare renting vs buying with Charlotte's real market data (2025)

Charlotte Housing Market at a Glance

Median Home Price

$425,000

Median Monthly Rent

$1,750

Property Tax Rate

1.05%

Avg Home Insurance

$1,700/yr

Price-to-Rent Ratio: 20.2x (Lower ratios favor buying; higher ratios favor renting)

Charlotte-Specific Insights

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Key Factors for Charlotte Buyers

1. Down Payment Requirements

With Charlotte's median home price of $425,000, a 20% down payment is $85,000. Putting down less triggers PMI (typically 0.5–1.5% annually until you reach 20% equity).

2. Property Taxes

NC's property tax rate averages 1.05%, which translates to roughly $371.875/month on a median-priced home. This is near the national average.

3. Tax Deductions

Mortgage interest is deductible if you itemize (must exceed standard deduction: ~$14,600 single, ~$29,200 married in 2025). Combined with NC state taxes, itemizing may be worthwhile.

4. Opportunity Cost

If you rent and invest your down payment instead (e.g., S&P 500 averaging ~10% annually), you build wealth differently. The calculator models this trade-off month-by-month to find your break-even point.

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