Charlotte vs Tampa
Two markets on the list for people leaving LA. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.
| Charlotte, NC | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $443K | $445K |
| Median single-family | $485K | $455K |
| Median condo | $340K | $283K |
| Median $/sq ft | $249 | $300 |
| Median days on market | 46 | 43 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 99.0% | 96.7% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 4,020 | 3,330 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 18,428 | 36,194 |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft, 44 median days on market. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, estimates with margins of error.
The short version
At the median, Charlotte and Tampa are priced about the same: $443K versus $445K (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 4,020 square feet in Charlotte at the median price per square foot, versus about 3,330 in Tampa. Homes have been selling at a similar pace, about 46 median days on market in Charlotte and 43 in Tampa. North Carolina has a 3.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Florida has no personal income tax. In 2024 about 18,000 Californians moved to North Carolina and about 36,000 to Florida (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Charlotte: 3.99% flat rate (tax year 2026), scheduled to step down further. Tampa: None (Florida has no personal income tax). Property tax, insurance and HOA costs vary by address in both places and can matter as much as income tax, so price them for any specific home.
Go deeper
Read the full guides: moving from LA to Charlotte and moving from LA to Tampa.
Common questions
Is Charlotte or Tampa cheaper?
They were priced about the same at the median: $443K in Charlotte versus $445K in Tampa (Redfin, May 2026). Neighborhood and home type matter far more than the city median here.
Which has lower state income tax, Charlotte or Tampa?
Tampa has the lower state income tax. Florida has no personal income tax. By comparison, North Carolina has a 3.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Charlotte vs Tampa?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 4,020 square feet in Charlotte and 3,330 in Tampa, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
