Cost of Living: North Charleston, SC vs The Woodlands, TX (2026)

North Charleston

South Carolina
91
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

North Charleston is 48% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,364/mo ↓ 24%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 31%
$62,789/yr ↓ 56%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 125%
$267,700 ↓ 44%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 79%
$1,312/mo ↓ 35%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 53%
117,460
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

6.4%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
Sales Tax
6.25%
0.57%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing North Charleston, SC and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $428/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $5,136/year.

Median household income is $78,564/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in North Charleston is $267,700 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

North Charleston vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is North Charleston or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, North Charleston is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between North Charleston and The Woodlands?
Median rent in North Charleston is $1,364/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $428/month.
Which city has higher income, North Charleston or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $62,789 in North Charleston and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $78,564/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between South Carolina and Texas?
South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to North Charleston or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. North Charleston has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,364/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View North Charleston details → View The Woodlands details →