Cost of Living: North Charleston, SC vs Manchester, NH (2026)

North Charleston

South Carolina
91
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

North Charleston is 14% cheaper than Manchester.

$1,364/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↑ 7%
$62,789/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↑ 23%
$267,700 ↓ 20%
Home Value
$336,300 ↑ 26%
$1,312/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↑ 18%
117,460
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

6.4%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.57%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

26.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing North Charleston, SC and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $101/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $1,212/year.

Median household income is $14,626/year higher in Manchester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in North Charleston is $267,700 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

North Charleston vs Manchester — common questions

Is North Charleston or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, North Charleston is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between North Charleston and Manchester?
Median rent in North Charleston is $1,364/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $101/month.
Which city has higher income, North Charleston or Manchester?
Median household income is $62,789 in North Charleston and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $14,626/year higher in Manchester.
How do taxes compare between South Carolina and New Hampshire?
South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to North Charleston or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. North Charleston has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,364/mo, while Manchester has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,465/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View North Charleston details → View Manchester details →

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