Cost of Living: Lexington, KY vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

Lexington

Kentucky
82
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Lexington is 10% cheaper than North Charleston.

$1,101/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 24%
$67,631/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 7%
$272,100 ↑ 2%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 2%
$1,160/mo ↓ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↑ 13%
321,122
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lexington, KY and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $263/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $3,156/year.

Median household income is $4,842/year higher in Lexington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lexington is $272,100 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

Kentucky has a lower income tax rate, making Lexington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Lexington or North Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lexington and North Charleston?
Median rent in Lexington is $1,101/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $263/month.
Which city has higher income, Lexington or North Charleston?
Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $4,842/year higher in Lexington.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and South Carolina?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Lexington or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Lexington has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,101/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 Lexington details → View North Charleston details →

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