Charlotte, NC vs Madera, 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
Madera
65.3
#1641 nationally
Madera leads in walk score (42 vs 26). Charlotte leads in cost of living index (102 vs 119). Charlotte leads in median household income ($71,659 vs $61,626).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Madera, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.1 (#1344) | 65.3 (#1641) |
| Population | 897,720 | 68,079 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,231 | $426,523 |
| Median Household Income | $71,659 | $61,626 |
| Average Commute | 27.1 min | 28.3 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 10.8 |
| School Rating | 6.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 119 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | R+20.8 |
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
65.3 Score
Madera, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$426,523
Population
68,079
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Madera, CA →