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

West Palm Beach

Florida
119
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

West Palm Beach is 31% more expensive than North Charleston.

$1,709/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 20%
$69,261/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 9%
$369,800 ↑ 38%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 28%
$1,667/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 21%
119,508
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

29.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing West Palm Beach, FL and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 119 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $345/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $4,140/year.

Median household income is $6,472/year higher in West Palm Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in West Palm Beach is $369,800 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

West Palm Beach vs North Charleston — common questions

Is West Palm Beach 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 119 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between West Palm Beach and North Charleston?
Median rent in West Palm Beach is $1,709/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $345/month.
Which city has higher income, West Palm Beach or North Charleston?
Median household income is $69,261 in West Palm Beach and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $6,472/year higher in West Palm Beach.
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 West Palm Beach or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. West Palm Beach has a cost index of 119 with median rent of $1,709/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 West Palm Beach details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

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West Palm Beach vs. Hartford West Palm Beach vs. Spring Hill West Palm Beach vs. Fairfield West Palm Beach vs. Wilmington West Palm Beach vs. Berkeley West Palm Beach vs. Billings 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