Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

St. Louis is 27% cheaper than North Charleston.

$978/mo ↓ 28%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 39%
$55,279/yr ↓ 12%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↑ 14%
$185,100 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$267,700 ↑ 45%
$1,013/mo ↓ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↑ 30%
293,109
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
6.4%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $386/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $4,632/year.

Median household income is $7,510/year higher in North Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs North Charleston — common questions

Is St. Louis or North Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and North Charleston?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $386/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or North Charleston?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $7,510/year higher in North Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and South Carolina?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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 St. Louis details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and North Charleston

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage 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