Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Knoxville is 19% cheaper than North Charleston.

$1,116/mo ↓ 18%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 22%
$50,994/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↑ 23%
$214,000 ↓ 20%
Home Value
$267,700 ↑ 25%
$1,075/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↑ 22%
193,721
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $248/month cheaper in Knoxville, saving renters about $2,976/year.

Median household income is $11,795/year higher in North Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Knoxville or North Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Knoxville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and North Charleston?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $248/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or North Charleston?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $11,795/year higher in North Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and South Carolina?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/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 Knoxville details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

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