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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Austin is 47% more expensive than North Charleston.

$1,655/mo ↑ 21%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 18%
$91,461/yr ↑ 46%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 31%
$512,700 ↑ 92%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 48%
$1,747/mo ↑ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 25%
967,862
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $291/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $3,492/year.

Median household income is $28,672/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Austin 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 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and North Charleston?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $291/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or North Charleston?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $28,672/year higher in Austin.
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 Austin or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/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 Austin details → View North Charleston details →

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