City Comparison

Fort Worth vs North Charleston

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

Texas
95
Below Average
$270,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$62,187
Median Income

North Charleston

South Carolina
102
Average
$347,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$61,400
Median Income

The Verdict

6.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.9%, with Fort Worth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to $80,526 in North Charleston.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
87
Fort Worth
102
North Charleston
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
101
North Charleston
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
120
North Charleston
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
91
North Charleston
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
86
North Charleston

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $80,526 in North Charleston.

Conversely, $75,000 in North Charleston equals $69,853 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs North Charleston

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is lower North Charleston's 102, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $347,000. The $77,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,004 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,525/mo in North Charleston, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 101 in North Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $480/month in North Charleston. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Fort Worth and 120 in North Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $480 in North Charleston. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Fort Worth and 86 in North Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,187 in Fort Worth and $61,400 in North Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $60,196 respectively. Fort Worth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,451/month to housing in Fort Worth vs $1,433/month in North Charleston. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth is 6.9% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,526 in North Charleston, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while North Charleston's is 102 with median homes at $347,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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