City Comparison

Naples vs North Charleston

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Naples

Florida
128
Expensive
$520,000
Median Home
$2,100/mo
Median Rent
$72,178
Median Income

North Charleston

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

The Verdict

25.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.5%, with North Charleston being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Naples has equivalent purchasing power to $59,766 in North Charleston.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
180
Naples
102
North Charleston
Groceries
106
Naples
101
North Charleston
Utilities
96
Naples
120
North Charleston
Transportation
105
Naples
91
North Charleston
Healthcare
98
Naples
86
North Charleston

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Naples has the same purchasing power as $59,766 in North Charleston.

Conversely, $75,000 in North Charleston equals $94,118 in Naples.

Living in Naples vs North Charleston

Housing Costs

Naples's housing index of 180 is higher North Charleston's 102, translating to median home prices of $520,000 vs $347,000. The $173,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,244 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Naples compared to $1,525/mo in North Charleston, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Naples and 101 in North Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Naples 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 96 in Naples and 120 in North Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Naples 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 98 in Naples and 86 in North Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $72,178 in Naples and $61,400 in North Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,389 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 $1,684/month to housing in Naples vs $1,433/month in North Charleston. In Naples, median rent of $2,100/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 78 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

North Charleston is 25.5% more affordable overall with an index of 102 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Naples has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,766 in North Charleston, based on the cost of living difference.
Naples's housing index is 180 with median homes at $520,000, while North Charleston's is 102 with median homes at $347,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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