Charlotte, NC vs Orange, 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
Orange
63.3
#1780 nationally
Orange leads in walk score (51 vs 26). Charlotte leads in cost of living index (102 vs 178). Orange leads in median household income ($109,335 vs $71,659).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Orange, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.1 (#1344) | 63.3 (#1780) |
| Population | 897,720 | 138,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $397,231 | $1,136,729 |
| Median Household Income | $71,659 | $109,335 |
| Average Commute | 27.1 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 51 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.2 |
| School Rating | 6.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+2.6 |
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
63.3 Score
Orange, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,136,729
Population
138,337
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Orange, CA →