James Island, SC vs North Augusta, SC

The cost of living difference between James Island, SC and North Augusta, SC is dramatic. North Augusta is 40.6% cheaper than James Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. James Island has a cost index of 116 while North Augusta sits at 83, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in James Island is $1,443/month compared to $1,080/month in North Augusta — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Augusta is more affordable at $220,500 median vs $454,200.

Median household income in James Island is $100,176 compared to $90,132 in North Augusta (+11.1%). James Island does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of James Island spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 14.4% in North Augusta.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (67.2°F vs 67.1°F). North Augusta receives more rainfall at 44.8" per year compared to 44.3" in James Island.