Cost of Living: Port St. Lucie, FL vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

Port St. Lucie

Florida
113
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Port St. Lucie is 24% more expensive than North Charleston.

$1,781/mo ↑ 31%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 23%
$78,137/yr ↑ 24%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 20%
$327,700 ↑ 22%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 18%
$1,507/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 13%
220,453
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Port St. Lucie, FL and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $417/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $5,004/year.

Median household income is $15,348/year higher in Port St. Lucie. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Port St. Lucie is $327,700 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Port St. Lucie vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Port St. Lucie 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 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Port St. Lucie and North Charleston?
Median rent in Port St. Lucie is $1,781/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $417/month.
Which city has higher income, Port St. Lucie or North Charleston?
Median household income is $78,137 in Port St. Lucie and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $15,348/year higher in Port St. Lucie.
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 Port St. Lucie or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Port St. Lucie has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,781/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 Port St. Lucie details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Port St. Lucie and North Charleston

Port St. Lucie vs. Tacoma Port St. Lucie vs. Spring Valley Port St. Lucie vs. San Bernardino Port St. Lucie vs. Huntsville Port St. Lucie vs. Hialeah Port St. Lucie vs. Modesto 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