Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Charleston, SC (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

Arlington is 26% cheaper than Charleston.

$1,389/mo ↓ 15%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↑ 17%
$73,519/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 22%
$276,400 ↓ 41%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 70%
$1,420/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 19%
394,769
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $243/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $2,916/year.

Median household income is $16,519/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Charleston — common questions

Is Arlington or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Charleston?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $243/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Charleston?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $16,519/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and South Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and Charleston

Arlington vs. Wichita Arlington vs. Tampa Arlington vs. Bakersfield Arlington vs. Aurora Arlington vs. Tulsa Arlington vs. New Orleans Charleston vs. Roseville Charleston vs. Bellevue Charleston vs. Hollywood Charleston vs. Escondido Charleston vs. Sunnyvale Charleston vs. Jackson