Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Huntington Beach is 149% more expensive than North Charleston.

$2,424/mo ↑ 78%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 44%
$119,885/yr ↑ 91%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 48%
$1,047,300 ↑ 291%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 74%
$2,436/mo ↑ 86%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 46%
196,010
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
6.4%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,060/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $12,720/year.

Median household income is $57,096/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

South Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making North Charleston slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Huntington Beach 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 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and North Charleston?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $1,060/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or North Charleston?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $57,096/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and South Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/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 Huntington Beach details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

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