Mount Pleasant, SC vs North Charleston, SC

The cost of living difference between Mount Pleasant, SC and North Charleston, SC is dramatic. North Charleston is 53.5% cheaper than Mount Pleasant, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mount Pleasant has a cost index of 152 while North Charleston sits at 99, 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 Mount Pleasant is $2,026/month compared to $1,364/month in North Charleston — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Charleston is more affordable at $267,700 median vs $667,100.

Median household income in Mount Pleasant is $121,364 compared to $62,789 in North Charleston (+93.3%). While Mount Pleasant is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mount Pleasant spend roughly 20% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in North Charleston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (67.2°F vs 66.5°F). North Charleston receives more rainfall at 52.5" per year compared to 44.3" in Mount Pleasant.