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

North Charleston

South Carolina

Lakeland

Florida

North Charleston is 9% more expensive than Lakeland.

$1,364/mo ↑ 5%

Median Rent

$1,299/mo ↓ 5%

$62,789/yr ↑ 3%

Median Income

$60,947/yr ↓ 3%

$267,700 ↑ 17%

Home Value

$229,100 ↓ 14%

$1,312/mo ↑ 14%

Owner Costs

$1,149/mo ↓ 12%

117,460

Population

117,030

Tax Comparison

6.4%

Income Tax

6.0%

Sales Tax

6.0%

0.57%

Property Tax

0.86%

Affordability

26.1%

rent-to-income

Affordability

25.6%

rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing North Charleston, SC and Lakeland, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $65/month cheaper in Lakeland, saving renters about $780/year.

Median household income is $1,842/year higher in North Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in North Charleston is $267,700 compared to $229,100 in Lakeland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

North Charleston vs Lakeland — common questions

Is North Charleston or Lakeland cheaper to live in?

Based on our cost index, Lakeland is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 91 (US average = 100).

What is the rent difference between North Charleston and Lakeland?

Median rent in North Charleston is $1,364/month and in Lakeland it's $1,299/month — a difference of $65/month.

Which city has higher income, North Charleston or Lakeland?

Median household income is $62,789 in North Charleston and $60,947 in Lakeland. Median household income is $1,842/year higher in North Charleston.

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 Lakeland?

It depends on your priorities. North Charleston has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,364/mo, while Lakeland has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,299/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.