North Carolina
96.6
composite · rank #26
- Housing
- 91.7
- Grocery
- 100.8
- Utilities
- 94.3
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026North Carolina vs South Carolina Cost of Living
South Carolina has the lower cost of living by 4.7 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
South Carolina is lower
4.7 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in North Carolina is roughly $95,135 in South Carolina.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
South Carolina
91.9
composite · rank #17
- Housing
- 79.8
- Grocery
- 98.6
- Utilities
- 95.1
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | North Carolina | South Carolina | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 100.8 | 98.6 | South Carolina |
| Housing | 91.7 | 79.8 | South Carolina |
| Utilities | 94.3 | 95.1 | North Carolina |
| Transportation | 92.3 | 94.6 | North Carolina |
| Health care | 108.4 | 97.6 | South Carolina |
| Misc. goods & services | 99.2 | 97.3 | South Carolina |
Grocery
North Carolina100.8
South Carolina98.6
Lower cost: South Carolina
Housing
North Carolina91.7
South Carolina79.8
Lower cost: South Carolina
Utilities
North Carolina94.3
South Carolina95.1
Lower cost: North Carolina
Transportation
North Carolina92.3
South Carolina94.6
Lower cost: North Carolina
Health care
North Carolina108.4
South Carolina97.6
Lower cost: South Carolina
Misc. goods & services
North Carolina99.2
South Carolina97.3
Lower cost: South Carolina
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in South Carolina | Needed in North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $47,567 | $52,557 |
| $75,000 | $71,351 | $78,836 |
| $100,000 | $95,135 | $105,114 |
| $150,000 | $142,702 | $157,671 |
| $250,000 | $237,836 | $262,786 |
$50,000 origin salary
In South Carolina$47,567
In North Carolina$52,557
$75,000 origin salary
In South Carolina$71,351
In North Carolina$78,836
$100,000 origin salary
In South Carolina$95,135
In North Carolina$105,114
$150,000 origin salary
In South Carolina$142,702
In North Carolina$157,671
Housing gap
North Carolina housing is 91.7; South Carolina is 79.8.
Salary planning
$100,000 in North Carolina is roughly $95,135 in South Carolina.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
North Carolina vs South Carolina cost of living FAQs
South Carolina has the lower cost of living by 4.7 index points. The composite indexes are 96.6 in North Carolina and 91.9 in South Carolina (US average = 100).
About $95,135 in South Carolina would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in North Carolina, based on the composite indexes.
About $105,114 in North Carolina would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in South Carolina.
Housing indexes are 91.7 in North Carolina and 79.8 in South Carolina. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
South Carolina has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.