Cost of Living: North Charleston, SC vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

North Charleston

South Carolina
91
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

North Charleston is 14% cheaper than Clearwater.

$1,364/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 13%
$62,789/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↑ 3%
$267,700 ↓ 18%
Home Value
$326,100 ↑ 22%
$1,312/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↑ 8%
117,460
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

6.4%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
Sales Tax
6.0%
0.57%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

26.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing North Charleston, SC and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $175/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $2,100/year.

Median household income is $1,651/year higher in Clearwater. Home values also differ significantly — the median in North Charleston is $267,700 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

North Charleston vs Clearwater — common questions

Is North Charleston or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, North Charleston is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between North Charleston and Clearwater?
Median rent in North Charleston is $1,364/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $175/month.
Which city has higher income, North Charleston or Clearwater?
Median household income is $62,789 in North Charleston and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $1,651/year higher in Clearwater.
How do taxes compare between South Carolina and Florida?
South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to North Charleston or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. North Charleston has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,364/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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