City Comparison

London vs North Charleston

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

London

United Kingdom
115
Above Average
$695,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

North Charleston

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

The Verdict

12.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.7%, with North Charleston being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in London has equivalent purchasing power to $66,522 in North Charleston.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
162
London
102
North Charleston
Groceries
92
London
101
North Charleston
Utilities
112
London
120
North Charleston
Transportation
125
London
91
North Charleston
Healthcare
78
London
86
North Charleston

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in London has the same purchasing power as $66,522 in North Charleston.

Conversely, $75,000 in North Charleston equals $84,559 in London.

Living in London vs North Charleston

Housing Costs

London's housing index of 162 is higher North Charleston's 102, translating to median home prices of $695,000 vs $347,000. The $348,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,400/mo in London compared to $1,525/mo in North Charleston, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in London and 101 in North Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in London vs $480/month in North Charleston. London offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 112 in London and 120 in North Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in London vs $480 in North Charleston. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 78 in London and 86 in North Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,000 in London and $61,400 in North Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,826 and $60,196 respectively. North Charleston residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,283/month to housing in London vs $1,433/month in North Charleston. In London, median rent of $2,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

North Charleston is 12.7% more affordable overall with an index of 102 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in London has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,522 in North Charleston, based on the cost of living difference.
London's housing index is 162 with median homes at $695,000, while North Charleston's is 102 with median homes at $347,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases