City Comparison

North Charleston vs Oklahoma City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

North Charleston

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

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma
87
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,458
Median Income

The Verdict

17.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.2%, with Oklahoma City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in North Charleston has equivalent purchasing power to $63,971 in Oklahoma City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
North Charleston
68
Oklahoma City
Groceries
101
North Charleston
95
Oklahoma City
Utilities
120
North Charleston
92
Oklahoma City
Transportation
91
North Charleston
100
Oklahoma City
Healthcare
86
North Charleston
92
Oklahoma City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in North Charleston has the same purchasing power as $63,971 in Oklahoma City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $87,931 in North Charleston.

Living in North Charleston vs Oklahoma City

Housing Costs

North Charleston's housing index of 102 is higher Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $347,000 vs $195,000. The $152,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,525/mo in North Charleston compared to $1,000/mo in Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in North Charleston and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in North Charleston vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 120 in North Charleston and 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $480 in North Charleston vs $368 in Oklahoma City. 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 86 in North Charleston and 92 in Oklahoma City. 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 $61,400 in North Charleston and $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,196 and $63,745 respectively. Oklahoma City residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,433/month to housing in North Charleston vs $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oklahoma City is 17.2% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in North Charleston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,971 in Oklahoma City, based on the cost of living difference.
North Charleston's housing index is 102 with median homes at $347,000, while Oklahoma City's is 68 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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