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How the Charlotte Region Stacks Up

Compare key regional highlights to other U.S. metro areas.

CLT REGION Denver
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 1,787,368
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 23%
Total Population 3,234,256 2,996,426
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 9%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 1,10%

CLT REGION Denver
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ 0.64 N/A
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $83,358
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 N/A
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $98,060
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 1.09
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $116,082
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ 1.60 1.21
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $180,964
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 1.60
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $178,490

CLT REGION Denver
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 115.1
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 26
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 40

CLT REGION Denver
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 15
Direct Flights 187 218

CLT REGION Phoenix
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 2,562,068
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 29%
Total Population 3,234,256 5,056,714
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 13%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 3.20%

CLT REGION Phoenix
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ 0.64 N/A
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $81,718
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 0.77
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $135,297
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 1.14
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $69,321
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ” 1.60 1.45
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $117,216
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 0.83
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $145,891

CLT REGION Phoenix
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 108.1
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 25.4
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 67

CLT REGION Phoenix
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 18
Direct Flights 187 146

CLT REGION Minneapolis
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 2,124,058
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 7%
Total Population 3,234,256 3,712,240
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 7%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 1,50%

CLT REGION Minneapolis
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ 0.64 1.15
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $84,232
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 1.26
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $126,157
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 0.88
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $101,544
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ 1.60 1.23
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $175,265
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 2.00
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $158,776

CLT REGION Minneapolis
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 104
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 22.9
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 94

CLT REGION Minneapolis
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 18
Direct Flights 187 163

CLT REGION Columbus
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 1,190,048
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 13%
Total Population 3,234,256 2,176,561
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 9%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 2,50%

CLT REGION Columbus
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ 0.64 1.00
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $72,754
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 0.82
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $99,188
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 1.63
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $84,719
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ” 1.60 1.16
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $107,440
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 1.00
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $136,234

CLT REGION Columbus
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 95.2
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 21.5
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 61

CLT REGION Columbus
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 18
Direct Flights 187 47

CLT REGION Tampa
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 1,577,516
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 24%
Total Population 3,234,256 3,334,389
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 15%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 5.60%

CLT REGION Tampa
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ 0.64 1.04
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $83,881
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 0.61
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $103,721
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 0.74
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $66,581
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ 1.60 1.56
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $125,387
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 1.24
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $140,015

CLT REGION Tampa
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 103.3
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 25.2
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 35

CLT REGION Tampa
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 16
Direct Flights 187 81

CLT REGION Jacksonville
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 834,405
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 26%
Total Population 3,234,256 1,715,981
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 24%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 10.50%

CLT REGION Jacksonville
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ 0.64 N/A
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $86,993
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 0.57
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $118,541
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 N/A
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $72,381
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ 1.60 1.54
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $116,550
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 0.92
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $161,390

CLT REGION Jacksonville
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 104.3
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 26.3
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 56

CLT REGION Jacksonville
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 12
Direct Flights 187 44

CLT REGION Atlanta
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 3,180,374
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 23%
Total Population 3,234,256 6,297,620
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 14%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 5.30%

CLT REGION Atlanta
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ 0.64 0.83
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $94,472
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 0.74
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $144,597
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 1.53
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $63,240
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ 1.60 1.11
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $178,610
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 1.16
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $159,356

CLT REGION Atlanta
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 112.3
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 29.2
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 30

CLT REGION Atlanta
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 15
Direct Flights 187 237

CLT REGION Nashville
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 1,220,974
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 31%
Total Population 3,234,256 2,085,521
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 20%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 8.10%

CLT REGION Nashville
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ 0.64 0.92
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $97,843
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 0.93
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $92,393
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 1.50
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $74,395
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ 1.60 1.07
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $149,465
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 2.00
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $148,101

CLT REGION Nashville
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 96.3
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 28.6
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 50

CLT REGION Nashville
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 13
Direct Flights 187 102

CLT REGION Austin
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 1,390,881
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 45%
Total Population 3,234,256 2,492,116
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 32%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 16%

CLT REGION Austin
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ 0.64 0.72
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $89,788
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 0.69
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $173,622
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 0.58
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $67,959
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ 1.60 1.08
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $154,862
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 2.85
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $198,361

CLT REGION Austin
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 97.8
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 27
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 9

CLT REGION Austin
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 13.49
Direct Flights 187 97

CLT REGION Dallas
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 4,434,679
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 29%
Total Population 3,234,256 8,092,204
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 19%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 10%

CLT REGION Dallas
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ 0.64 0.77
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $87,014
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 0.90
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $146,931
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 1.46
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $74,962
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ 1.60 1.45
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $157,456
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 1.25
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $150,446

CLT REGION Dallas
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 99.1
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 28.4
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 95

CLT REGION Dallas
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 13.36
Direct Flights 187 257

CLT REGION Washington D.C.
Total Labor Force 1,565,059 3,583,357
Total Employment Growth Rate (Last 10 Years) 25% 8%
Total Population 3,234,256 6,403,734
Last 10 year Growth Rate (since 2014) 17% 6%
Projected Growth Rate (2024-2030) 8% 2%

CLT REGION Washington D.C.
Life Sciences: Annual Employment LQ” 0.64 2.69
Life Sciences: Media Wage $84,611 $105,598
Advanced Manufacturing: Annual Employment LQ 2.26 0.21
Advanced Manufacturing: Media Wage $135,747 $256,391
Logistics & Distribution: Annual Employment LQ 1.10 0.52
Logistics & Distribution: Media Wage $82,929 $74,962
Financial Services: Annual Employment LQ” 1.60 0.74
Financial Services: Media Wage $178,176 $258,095
IT/Tech: Annual Employment LQ 0.51 3.36
IT/Tech: Media Wage $146,828 $178,764

CLT REGION Washington D.C.
Cost Of Living Index 97.5 117.5
Commute Time (Minutes) 24.1 32.8
U.S. News & World Report: Best Places to Live (2024-25) 5 44

CLT REGION Washington D.C.
Cost of Energy (¢/kWh) 12.99 16
Direct Flights 187 107

ECONOMIC DATA

From labor force data and unemployment rates to real estate and tourism growth, we’re tracking key metrics that can help business leaders, public organizations and nonprofits understand what’s driving the Charlotte area economy.

$220 Billion

gross regional product (outranking half of U.S. states)

2.9M

population of the region

1.6 M

total jobs

3.6%

unemployment rate

117

people move to the region daily

Demographic & Industry Data

A diverse, dynamic talent pool can push business to the next level.

117

people move to the Charlotte Region everyday

32%

growth in 20-34 year old population

43%

growth in foreign-born
population

11%

production occupations more concentrated than national average

42%

growth in business and financial operations occupations since 2010

91%

growth in tech workers
since 2010

16%

labor force growth since
2010

Area Highlights

Activities, amenities, and a superior quality of life are the key to talent attraction and retention.

25 min

average commute times

226

days of sunshine annually

6

major league sports teams

25

minute average commute times

Download the quarterly Growth Report highlighting the region’s economic growth.

Research Publications

Take a deep dive into the trends and insights that inform business decision making in Charlotte and beyond.