Median rent is 18% lower in North Charleston ($1,364/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in North Charleston, where the median home runs $267,700 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $62,789 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
North Charleston, SC
How much would you need to earn in North Charleston, SC to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Austin
Texas
North Charleston
South Carolina
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in North Charleston at $1,364/mo compared to $1,655/mo in Austin (18% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $267,700 in North Charleston — 48% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while South Carolina tops out at 6.40% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.00% in South Carolina; North Charleston has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
North Charleston
Income tax: 6.40%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for North Charleston.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick North Charleston if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,364/mo median).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than North Charleston?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs North Charleston?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,364/mo in North Charleston, SC. North Charleston, SC has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or North Charleston?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $62,789 in North Charleston, SC. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or North Charleston?
Texas has no state income tax. South Carolina has a top rate of 6.40%.
What salary do I need in North Charleston to match my Austin income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology