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

Palm Bay

Florida
91
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Palm Bay and North Charleston have a similar cost of living.

$1,487/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 8%
$67,521/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 7%
$248,000 ↓ 7%
Home Value
$267,700 ↑ 8%
$1,203/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↑ 9%
125,273
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palm Bay, FL and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $123/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $1,476/year.

Median household income is $4,732/year higher in Palm Bay. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palm Bay is $248,000 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Palm Bay vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Palm Bay 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 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palm Bay and North Charleston?
Median rent in Palm Bay is $1,487/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $123/month.
Which city has higher income, Palm Bay or North Charleston?
Median household income is $67,521 in Palm Bay and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $4,732/year higher in Palm Bay.
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 Palm Bay or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,487/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 Palm Bay details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Palm Bay and North Charleston

Palm Bay vs. Allentown Palm Bay vs. Meridian Palm Bay vs. Thousand Oaks Palm Bay vs. Vallejo Palm Bay vs. Simi Valley Palm Bay vs. Round Rock 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