City Comparison

North Charleston vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

North Charleston

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

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

5.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.2%, with Stockholm being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in North Charleston has equivalent purchasing power to $71,324 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
North Charleston
118
Stockholm
Groceries
101
North Charleston
92
Stockholm
Utilities
120
North Charleston
88
Stockholm
Transportation
91
North Charleston
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
86
North Charleston
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in North Charleston has the same purchasing power as $71,324 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $78,866 in North Charleston.

Living in North Charleston vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

North Charleston's housing index of 102 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $347,000 vs $445,000. The $98,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,372 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,525/mo in North Charleston compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 120 in North Charleston and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $480 in North Charleston vs $352 in Stockholm. 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 82 in Stockholm. 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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,196 and $51,546 respectively. North Charleston residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,433/month to housing in North Charleston vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stockholm is 5.2% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in North Charleston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,324 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
North Charleston's housing index is 102 with median homes at $347,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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