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

Cape Coral

Florida
114
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Cape Coral is 25% more expensive than North Charleston.

$1,751/mo ↑ 28%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 22%
$76,062/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 17%
$339,200 ↑ 27%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 21%
$1,523/mo ↑ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 14%
206,387
Population
117,460

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cape Coral, FL and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 114 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $387/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $4,644/year.

Median household income is $13,273/year higher in Cape Coral. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cape Coral is $339,200 compared to $267,700 in North 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 North Charleston — common questions

Is Cape Coral 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 114 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cape Coral and North Charleston?
Median rent in Cape Coral is $1,751/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $387/month.
Which city has higher income, Cape Coral or North Charleston?
Median household income is $76,062 in Cape Coral and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $13,273/year higher in Cape Coral.
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 North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with median rent of $1,751/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 Cape Coral details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cape Coral and North Charleston

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