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

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Nashville is 21% more expensive than North Charleston.

$1,486/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 8%
$75,197/yr ↑ 20%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 17%
$383,100 ↑ 43%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 30%
$1,471/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 11%
684,298
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $122/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $1,464/year.

Median household income is $12,408/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Nashville 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 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and North Charleston?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $122/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or North Charleston?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $12,408/year higher in Nashville.
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 Nashville or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/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 Nashville details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

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