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

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Fort Lauderdale is 45% more expensive than North Charleston.

$1,776/mo ↑ 30%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 23%
$79,935/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 21%
$455,600 ↑ 70%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 41%
$1,778/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 26%
183,032
Population
117,460

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $412/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $4,944/year.

Median household income is $17,146/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $267,700 in North 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 North Charleston — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale 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 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and North Charleston?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $412/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or North Charleston?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $17,146/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
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 North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/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 Fort Lauderdale details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Lauderdale and North Charleston

Fort Lauderdale vs. Shreveport Fort Lauderdale vs. Chattanooga Fort Lauderdale vs. Newport News Fort Lauderdale vs. Aurora Fort Lauderdale vs. Mobile Fort Lauderdale vs. Ontario North Charleston vs. Cambridge North Charleston vs. Clearwater North Charleston vs. Richardson North Charleston vs. Lakeland North Charleston vs. Billings North Charleston vs. The Woodlands