Charlotte vs Charleston: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Charlotte, North Carolina compare to Charleston, South Carolina? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Charlotte is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 29% lower in Charlotte compared to Charleston, while rent is 8% lower. State income tax is 4.5% in NC vs 6.4% in SC.
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Charleston, SC | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $312,800 | $438,900 | -28.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,399 | $1,517 | -7.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $74,070 | $83,891 | -11.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $47,476 | $55,890 | -15.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.5% | 6.4% | -29.7% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.4% | -6.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 875,045 | 149,960 | +483.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Charlotte
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Charleston
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Charlotte costs $312,800 compared to $438,900 in Charleston — a 29% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,399/mo in Charlotte vs $1,517/mo in Charleston.
- Income: Median household income is $74,070 in Charlotte and $83,891 in Charleston.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.5% in North Carolina vs 6.4% in South Carolina.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).