City Comparison

North Charleston vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

North Charleston

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

20.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.0%, with Tyler being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in North Charleston has equivalent purchasing power to $62,500 in Tyler.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
102
North Charleston
69
Tyler
Groceries
101
North Charleston
96
Tyler
Utilities
120
North Charleston
97
Tyler
Transportation
91
North Charleston
92
Tyler
Healthcare
86
North Charleston
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in North Charleston has the same purchasing power as $62,500 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $90,000 in North Charleston.

Living in North Charleston vs Tyler

Housing Costs

North Charleston's housing index of 102 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $347,000 vs $250,000. The $97,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,525/mo in North Charleston compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in North Charleston and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in North Charleston vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 120 in North Charleston and 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $480 in North Charleston vs $388 in Tyler. 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 93 in Tyler. 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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,196 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 20.0% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in North Charleston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,500 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
North Charleston's housing index is 102 with median homes at $347,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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