Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Bellevue is 175% more expensive than North Charleston.

$2,505/mo ↑ 84%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 46%
$161,300/yr ↑ 157%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 61%
$1,203,100 ↑ 349%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 78%
$2,586/mo ↑ 97%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 49%
151,199
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

18.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,141/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $13,692/year.

Median household income is $98,511/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Bellevue 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 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and North Charleston?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $1,141/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or North Charleston?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $98,511/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and South Carolina?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/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 Bellevue details → View North Charleston details →

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