Cost of Living: Tacoma, WA vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

Tacoma is 38% more expensive than North Charleston.

$1,597/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 15%
$83,857/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 25%
$454,600 ↑ 70%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 41%
$1,747/mo ↑ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 25%
220,482
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $233/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $2,796/year.

Median household income is $21,068/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs North Charleston — common questions

Is Tacoma 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 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and North Charleston?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $233/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or North Charleston?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $21,068/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and South Carolina?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/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 Tacoma details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

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