Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Charleston, SC (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

Fort Lauderdale is 3% more expensive than Charleston.

$1,776/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↓ 8%
$79,935/yr ↓ 11%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 13%
$455,600 ↓ 3%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 3%
$1,778/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↓ 5%
183,032
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $144/month cheaper in Charleston, saving renters about $1,728/year.

Median household income is $10,103/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Charleston — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Charleston is cheaper to live in with an index of 128 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Charleston?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $144/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Charleston?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $10,103/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 Fort Lauderdale or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/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 Fort Lauderdale details → View Charleston details →

More Comparisons

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