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

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Arlington is 123% more expensive than North Charleston.

$2,275/mo ↑ 67%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 40%
$140,160/yr ↑ 123%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 55%
$864,800 ↑ 223%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 69%
$2,414/mo ↑ 84%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 46%
235,463
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
6.4%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $911/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $10,932/year.

Median household income is $77,371/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Arlington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Arlington or North Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, North Charleston is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and North Charleston?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $911/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or North Charleston?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $77,371/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and South Carolina?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while North Charleston has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View North Charleston details →

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