Raleigh and Charlotte are so close and have a lot in common. But what really sets these cities apart?
Looking for a career in tech or finance? One of the biggest assets of living in Charlotte is its thriving jobs market. Charlotte was recently named the #1 city for STEM jobs among major metro areas while Raleigh came in 5th. While Charlotte has traditionally been known for its banking jobs, and those definitely aren’t going anywhere, it’s added 30% more tech jobs in the last five years, double the rate for the whole country. Lowe’s even announced it will build a 23-story tech center in Charlotte instead of Dallas to add 1,600 new tech jobs to the city.
Because Charlotte is driven by finance, professional services, and tech, and so many of its residents are transplants from the north, the city can have a bit of a sterile, corporate feel.
The Research Triangle is named for the four large research universities in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. One of the strengths of living in Raleigh is you can enjoy different environments and job opportunities within the region. Of course, this may mean settling down in the suburbs. Chapel Hill offers more of a college town atmosphere while Durham is a younger, more progressive area. You’ll find job opportunities are more diverse in Raleigh for this reason, although its economy (and particularly tech and finance sectors) is not as strong as Charlotte.
One of the perks of living in Charlotte is enjoying all the amenities of the big city. Charlotte tends to have more live music, sporting events, and community events than Raleigh. It’s also home to amazing parks.
When you compare and contrast Charlotte and Raleigh, you’ll find both have plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. However, Raleigh does win out. You’re just two hours away from the shore and Wrightsville Beach.
Which is more affordable: Charlotte or Raleigh? Actually, they’re very comparable. The Charlotte cost of living index is 97.9 while the Raleigh cost of living index is 95.1. The average salary in Charlotte vs Raleigh is the same: $68,000 per year.
If you’re a big sports fan, one of the many positives of living in Charlotte is it’s a great city for sports. Raleigh’s biggest pro sports team is the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Charlotte has three pro sports franchises: the Carolina Panthers (NFL) at the Bank of America Stadium, the Charlotte Hornets (NBA) at the Spectrum Center, and Charlotte FC (MLS).
Charlotte is also the epicenter of NASCAR and home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
How far is it from Charlotte to Raleigh? About 2 hours and 30 minutes or 165 miles along I-85 N and I-140 E.
If flying into either Charlotte Douglas International Airport or the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Black Tie Car Service can get you to where you are going.
We offer long distance trips between both cities for whatever you may need.
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