2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Charlotte, NC vs Lake Forest, IL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Forest or is it cheaper to live in Charlotte?
- Lake Forest is 5.4% less expensive than Charlotte.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Forest or Charlotte?
- Lake Forest housing costs are 176.3% more expensive than Charlotte housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Charlotte or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Forest.
- Health related expenses are 1.4% more in Lake Forest.
 Charlotte, NCLake Forest, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock97.0100
 Food & Groceries99.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock96.3100
 Housing103.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$898,600$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock93.7100
 Miscellaneous110.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Charlotte    305 Reviews

My favorite city to live year round with 4 seasons. We love Charlotte  More

   |    Reply

Over 3 years ago

This city has a lot of potential, but it could use some work. For example, it seems to lack things that other cities have. And there is a lack of atmosphere and charm.  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

Very new transplant (~6 weeks) so first impressions and reasons why I moved here: -great year-round weather, if you don't mind humidity-- less hot in summer than TX/AZ  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Charlotte

Reviews for Lake Forest    4 Reviews

We relocated cross county to Lake Forest about a year ago due to a job change. We looked at nearby communities, within proximity of the work commute (the office is in  More

   |    Reply

Be prepared for a so called upscale town with entitled, overpaid, snooty people from teenagers who sneer at you to adults who look you up and down, who make demands on a  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

Long cold winters, short cold springs, hot humid summers, nice  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lake Forest


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.