North Charleston, SC vs Summerville, SC

North Charleston, SC and Summerville, SC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. North Charleston scores 99 while Summerville scores 103 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in North Charleston is $1,364/month compared to $1,414/month in Summerville — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: North Charleston is more affordable at $267,700 median vs $295,700.

Median household income in North Charleston is $62,789 compared to $78,621 in Summerville (-20.1%). While Summerville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of North Charleston spend roughly 26.1% of their income on rent, more than the 21.6% in Summerville.

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