Cost of Living: McKinney, TX vs Charleston, SC (2026)

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

McKinney is 8% more expensive than Charleston.

$1,841/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↓ 11%
$120,273/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↓ 25%
$439,500 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 7%
$2,101/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↓ 20%
202,314
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $209/month cheaper in Charleston, saving renters about $2,508/year.

Median household income is $30,235/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Charleston — common questions

Is McKinney or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Charleston is cheaper to live in with an index of 128 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Charleston?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $209/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Charleston?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $30,235/year higher in McKinney.
How do taxes compare between Texas and South Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to McKinney or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/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 McKinney details → View Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for McKinney and Charleston

McKinney vs. Little Rock McKinney vs. Augusta McKinney vs. Salt Lake City McKinney vs. Oxnard McKinney vs. Columbus McKinney vs. Amarillo Charleston vs. Roseville Charleston vs. Bellevue Charleston vs. Hollywood Charleston vs. Escondido Charleston vs. Sunnyvale Charleston vs. Jackson