Charlotte, North Carolina and Providence, Rhode Island are two distinct U.S cities that offer unique lifestyles, cultures, and opportunities. Both cities have unique charms and features that are attractive to potential residents and tourists. The quality of life in each city can be compared in terms of crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, infrastructure, industries and occupations, biggest employers, real estate, and many more. This comprehensive comparison will provide a detailed look into what makes each city unique and how they differ.
Distance between
Charlotte, NC and
Providence, RI : 683.0 miles
Charlotte's population is larger by 364%. Its population has grown by 338,881 people (62.7%) since 2000. The population of Providence has grown by 16,074 people (9.3%) during that time.
Charlotte experiences a significantly higher crime rate than Providence. However, it is worth noting that safety levels can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, so some areas are safer than others. In Providence, the crime rates are lower, making it generally a safer city compared to Charlotte.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is generally lower in Charlotte than in Providence. The housing cost, in particular, stands out as the biggest factor in the cost of living difference. Groceries, health care, and utilities are also generally more affordable in Charlotte than in Providence.
Income Tax
In terms of income tax, North Carolina has a flat rate of 5.25%, which is lower than Rhode Island’s progressive tax rate that ranges from 3.75% to 5.99%.
Property Tax
Property tax rates in Providence are significantly higher than in Charlotte. Property owners in Providence can expect to pay in the range of 3.7% whereas in Charlotte, the average property tax rate is around 1.31%.
Sales Tax
The sales tax in Charlotte is lower than in Providence, leading to overall lower costs of goods and services. The combined city and state sales tax rate in Charlotte is 7.25% while in Providence it is 7%.
Income
Type
Charlotte
Providence
Estimated median household income
$70,869
$60,970
Estimated per capita income
$44,593
$32,495
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
93.2
93.9
If you make $50,000 in Charlotte, you will have to make $50,376 in Providence to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Charlotte is located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, characterized by gentle hills and large, sprawling suburbs. Providence is coastal, offering easy access to the ocean and nearby beautiful beaches.
Providence is home to prestigious institutions such as Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. Charlotte also has strong educational institutions, including the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, but doesn’t have the same level of national recognition in education as Providence.
Charlotte’s economy thrives on the banking and financial industry, with several Fortune 500 company headquarters. Providence, though smaller, has a diverse economy with key sectors in education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Biggest Employers
Charlotte is home to several Fortune 500 companies, such as Bank of America and Duke Energy. By contrast, Providence’s largest employers are in the healthcare and education sectors, including Lifespan Hospital Group and Brown University.
In Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), 60.8% voted for Democrats and 38.3% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Providence (Providence County), 66.7% voted for Democrats and 31.7% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Charlotte
Providence
Charlotte
Providence
Charlotte
Providence
2020
66.8%
60.8%
31.6%
37.8%
1.6%
1.3%
2016
62.3%
57.5%
32.9%
36.6%
4.8%
5.9%
2012
60.8%
66.7%
38.3%
31.7%
0.9%
1.7%
2008
62.0%
66.2%
37.6%
32.0%
0.5%
1.7%
2004
51.7%
62.9%
48.0%
35.8%
0.3%
1.3%
2000
48.4%
65.5%
51.1%
28.2%
0.5%
6.3%
1996
48.6%
63.6%
45.9%
23.5%
5.5%
12.9%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Charlotte
Providence
Charlotte
Providence
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
9.0%
0.0%
19.0%
1.7%
CATHOLIC CHURCH
8.5%
44.0%
1.8%
23.4%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
2.3%
1.5%
1.1%
10.7%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.2%
1.4%
1.3%
6.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.9%
0.2%
1.8%
1.2%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.0%
1.9%
0.2%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.3%
1.5%
3.9%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.3%
0.2%
1.2%
1.2%
Weather
Weather-wise, Charlotte is warmer, with a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. Providence, on the other hand, witnesses four distinct seasons, with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Weather and climate
Type
Charlotte
Providence
Temperature - Average
61°F
50.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
72.3%
70.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
41%
33%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
82%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
46%
49%
Precipitation - Yearly average
44.5 in
47.7 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
10.2 in
72.7 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
18.1%
16.2%
Sunshine amount - Average
69.8%
62%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
14%
16%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
70%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
56%
48%
Wind speed - Average
6.9 mph
10 mph
Average climate in Charlotte, North Carolina
Average climate in Providence, Rhode Island
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Charlotte
Providence
Charlotte
Providence
Charlotte
Providence
Charlotte
Providence
Charlotte
Providence
Charlotte
Charlotte
Providence
Charlotte
Providence
2018
75
77
0.24
0.20
6.3
N/A
27.8
31.1
N/A
N/A
15.5
N/A
8.2
7.1
0.2
0.3
2017
77
75
0.25
0.21
7.0
8.8
28.0
30.6
N/A
N/A
16.3
N/A
8.8
6.3
0.2
0.2
2016
82
82
0.25
0.21
7.6
9.2
28.7
30.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.4
7.5
0.2
0.3
2015
76
86
0.25
0.23
8.1
10.6
27.6
29.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
7.9
0.2
0.4
2014
76
74
0.26
0.23
8.5
10.5
26.3
28.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
6.0
0.3
0.6
2013
71
97
0.29
0.22
8.4
10.3
25.5
30.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
9.7
0.3
0.5
2012
95
94
0.28
0.23
8.7
10.1
27.3
32.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
8.2
0.3
1.4
2011
94
86
0.34
0.23
10.1
11.4
28.9
31.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.2
8.7
0.6
1.3
2010
97
79
0.33
0.20
11.8
9.8
28.0
31.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.6
6.3
1.0
1.4
2009
82
75
0.30
0.24
10.0
11.2
25.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.1
5.8
0.9
1.8
2008
102
73
0.32
0.24
11.2
12.3
27.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.0
N/A
2.1
2.1
2007
108
86
0.37
0.25
13.9
13.9
29.1
N/A
0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.5
N/A
3.0
4.1
2006
107
81
0.44
0.40
13.9
15.2
27.3
N/A
0.000
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.8
N/A
3.3
4.6
2005
109
91
0.53
0.40
14.6
17.4
30.6
N/A
0.000
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.2
N/A
2.7
5.8
2004
89
83
0.53
0.46
14.6
17.7
28.9
N/A
0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.8
6.8
2003
85
86
0.57
0.54
15.6
18.9
27.6
N/A
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.0
6.3
2002
103
101
0.63
0.61
15.3
18.3
32.6
N/A
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.7
6.1
2001
108
109
0.72
0.53
17.5
20.2
32.3
N/A
0.005
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.9
7.5
2000
107
91
0.79
0.51
18.0
20.1
32.6
N/A
0.014
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
6.7
Natural disasters
Type
Charlotte
Providence
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
111.5%
52%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
79%
26.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
9%
17%
Transportation
Both cities have well-operated public transportation systems, but you may find the need for a car more in Charlotte due to its size. Providence is more walkable due to its smaller size and less sprawled setup.
Transport
Type
Charlotte
Providence
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
2
1
FAA registered aircraft
439
48
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
12
1
Means of transportation to work
Type
Charlotte
Providence
Bicycle
0.1%
0.3%
Bus
1.2%
3.2%
Carpooled
8.7%
10.4%
Car alone
86.2%
78.2%
Railroad
0.4%
1%
Subway
0%
0.5%
Taxicab
0.2%
0.2%
Walked
1.5%
5.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Charlotte
Providence
Average
29.6 min
24.7 min
Other means
24.9 min
20.9 min
Public transportation
44.1 min
36.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Charlotte
Providence
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
90%
83.5%
In 2 person carpool
6.9%
13.1%
In 3 person carpool
1.8%
1.7%
In 4 person carpool
0.8%
0.7%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0.7%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.3%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Charlotte is more affordable compared to Providence. While both cities offer a variety of urban and suburban lifestyles, Charlotte tends to offer more value for money in terms of house size and lot size.
Neighborhoods
Charlotte's neighborhoods are significantly larger in size and more diverse in terms of demographics, making it ideal for families of all sizes and ages. Providence, although smaller, has a charm of its own with leafy, historic neighborhoods that are ideal for single professionals and young families.
Houses and residents
Type
Charlotte
Providence
Houses
393,631
78,329
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.6
Length of stay in the house since moving in
11.8 years
12 years
Houses occupied
365,269 (92.8%)
68,179 (87%)
Houses occupied by owners
193,930 (53.1%)
27,713 (40.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
171,339 (46.9%)
40,466 (59.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,482
$1,281
Median monthly housing costs
$1,302
$1,343
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$445,491
$266,596
Estimated median house or condo value
$321,400
$291,200
Median numbers of rooms
5.3
4.7
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6.6
5.7
Median house price - detached houses
$388,029
$434,470
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$184,325
$305,545
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$178,624
$338,565
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$433,957
$296,317
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$296,370
$326,633
Median house price - All housing units
$378,423
$379,757
Median house age
26
2,021
Renting percentage
42.6%
65.1%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,624.8
4,241.6
House value disparities
33.3%
33.7%
Household income disparities
44.1%
48.7%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$105,905
$98,451
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$70,681
$73,826
Housing units without a mortgage
3,089 (2.1%)
555 (2.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
10,553 (7.2%)
2,250 (10.7%)
Housing units with a mortgage
142,912 (97.9%)
20,388 (97.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
171 (0.1%)
88 (0.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
13,532 (9.3%)
2,692 (12.9%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
9
8
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
3
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.8%
2.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.2%
0.6%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Charlotte
Providence
One, detached
52.7%
24.2%
One, attached
9.1%
2.9%
Two
0.9%
20.0%
3 or 4
2.9%
29.3%
5 to 9
7.1%
5.3%
10 to 19
9.5%
2.0%
20 to 49
6.2%
2.6%
50 or more
10.3%
13.5%
Mobile homes
1.4%
0.3%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
25,780
4,620
State government workers
16,519
3,764
Unpaid family workers
1,214
73
Industries and Occupations
In Charlotte, the primary industries are finance, healthcare, and retail, while Providence's economy is driven by education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Both, Charlotte and Providence, have excellent healthcare facilities with Charlotte being home to the Carolinas Medical Center and Providence to Rhode Island Hospital, the state's largest hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Charlotte
Providence
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both cities boast impressive infrastructure, with Charlotte having a more modern skyline owing to its role as a financial hub. Providence, possessing a rich history, showcases marvelous historic architecture.
Infrastructure
Type
Charlotte
Providence
Hospitals
37
7
TV stations
16
24
Arenas or stadiums
3
3
Bank branches located here
202
43
Bank institutions located here
26
11
Main business address for public companies
33
8
Nuclear power plants nearby
2
0
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
24
2
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Charlotte
Providence
1999
3,049
381
2000
1,568
421
2001
1,382
447
2002
1,275
425
2003
1,879
786
2004
2,415
1,138
2005
3,078
1,678
2006
3,864
1,738
2007
3,106
1,067
2008
1,287
451
2009
617
149
Culture and Food
Charlotte offers a unique mix of Southern culture, rich history, and modern sophistication, including a thriving culinary scene focused on Southern cuisine. Providence, the oldest city in the USA, is culturally diverse, with a food scene that ranges from Italian to Portuguese to Latin American cuisines.
Sports Teams
Charlotte is home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers and the NBA's Charlotte Hornets. Providence doesn’t have any major league teams, but their minor league team, the Pawtucket Red Sox, has a devout local following.
Charlotte, NC
Providence, RI
