Cost of Living: New York, NY vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

New York is 82% more expensive than North Charleston.

$1,779/mo ↑ 30%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 23%
$79,713/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 21%
$751,700 ↑ 181%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 64%
$1,837/mo ↑ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 29%
8,516,202
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
6.4%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $415/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $4,980/year.

Median household income is $16,924/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 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

New York vs North Charleston — common questions

Is New York 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 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and North Charleston?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $415/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or North Charleston?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $16,924/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and South Carolina?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to New York or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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 New York details → View North Charleston details →

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