Cost of Living: Cape Coral, FL vs Charleston, SC (2026)

Cape Coral

Florida
114
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

Cape Coral is 11% cheaper than Charleston.

$1,751/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↓ 7%
$76,062/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 18%
$339,200 ↓ 28%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 38%
$1,523/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 11%
206,387
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

27.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cape Coral, FL and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 114 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $119/month cheaper in Charleston, saving renters about $1,428/year.

Median household income is $13,976/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cape Coral is $339,200 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Coral vs Charleston — common questions

Is Cape Coral or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cape Coral is cheaper to live in with an index of 114 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cape Coral and Charleston?
Median rent in Cape Coral is $1,751/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $119/month.
Which city has higher income, Cape Coral or Charleston?
Median household income is $76,062 in Cape Coral and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $13,976/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Florida and South Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Cape Coral or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with median rent of $1,751/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 Cape Coral details → View Charleston details →

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