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

Tallahassee

Florida
87
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

Tallahassee is 32% cheaper than Charleston.

$1,238/mo ↓ 24%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↑ 32%
$55,931/yr ↓ 38%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 61%
$276,000 ↓ 41%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 70%
$1,237/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 36%
199,696
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tallahassee, FL and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 87 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $394/month cheaper in Tallahassee, saving renters about $4,728/year.

Median household income is $34,107/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tallahassee is $276,000 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tallahassee vs Charleston — common questions

Is Tallahassee or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tallahassee is cheaper to live in with an index of 87 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tallahassee and Charleston?
Median rent in Tallahassee is $1,238/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $394/month.
Which city has higher income, Tallahassee or Charleston?
Median household income is $55,931 in Tallahassee and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $34,107/year higher in Charleston.
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 Tallahassee or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Tallahassee has a cost index of 87 with median rent of $1,238/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tallahassee details → View Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Tallahassee and Charleston

Tallahassee vs. Amarillo Tallahassee vs. Birmingham Tallahassee vs. Oxnard Tallahassee vs. Sunrise Manor Tallahassee vs. Augusta Tallahassee vs. Grand Prairie Charleston vs. Roseville Charleston vs. Bellevue Charleston vs. Hollywood Charleston vs. Escondido Charleston vs. Sunnyvale Charleston vs. Jackson