A new analysis from Construction Coverage finds that buying a home is now more expensive than renting in the vast majority of markets, with the typical monthly mortgage payment running about 20% higher than rent nationwide as of early 2026.
This dataset stands out because it doesn’t just look at prices—it directly compares monthly ownership costs (mortgage + property taxes) vs. rent at the local level, giving a clear, real-world view of what households are actually facing right now.
Data for Charlotte, NC
- The affordability gap in the U.S. flipped fast: Since the start of 2021, mortgage rates have more than doubled and home prices remain approximately 33% higher, driving a surge in the “buying premium” across most U.S. markets.
- Charlotte’s position in the national divide: Out of 838 cities analyzed, Charlotte ranks among places where renting is more affordable than buying.
- How the math breaks down in Charlotte: In Charlotte, the median monthly mortgage payment + property taxes is $2,410, while median monthly rent is $1,705. The result is a premium for buyers in Charlotte of +41.3%.
- How Charlotte ranks among all large U.S. cities: Sorting U.S. cities from cheapest for buyers to most expensive, Charlotte ranks 33rd out of 54 large cities.
The full report covers the relative cost of buying vs. renting in nearly 850 U.S. cities and all 50 states—with median monthly mortgage payment, median rent, and median home price data for all locations.
