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

Orlando

Florida
115
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Orlando is 26% more expensive than North Charleston.

$1,650/mo ↑ 21%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 17%
$69,268/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 9%
$359,000 ↑ 34%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 25%
$1,621/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 19%
311,732
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

28.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Orlando, FL and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 115 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $286/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $3,432/year.

Median household income is $6,479/year higher in Orlando. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Orlando is $359,000 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Orlando vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Orlando 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 115 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Orlando and North Charleston?
Median rent in Orlando is $1,650/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $286/month.
Which city has higher income, Orlando or North Charleston?
Median household income is $69,268 in Orlando and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $6,479/year higher in Orlando.
How do taxes compare between Florida and South Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Orlando or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Orlando has a cost index of 115 with median rent of $1,650/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 Orlando details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Orlando and North Charleston

Orlando vs. Riverside Orlando vs. Santa Ana Orlando vs. Corpus Christi Orlando vs. Cincinnati Orlando vs. Stockton Orlando vs. Irvine North Charleston vs. Cambridge North Charleston vs. Clearwater North Charleston vs. Richardson North Charleston vs. Lakeland North Charleston vs. Billings North Charleston vs. The Woodlands