City Comparison · 2026
North Charleston vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in North Charleston = $122k in Chicago
Metric
North Charleston
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.13
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,500/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,880/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
SC
IL
$100k Take-Home
$72,336
✓$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
27.66%
✓26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$54,336
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | North Charleston SC | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,408 $3,867/mo · 22.65% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $72,336 $6,028/mo · 27.66% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,678 $8,640/mo · 30.88% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Charleston or Chicago cheaper to live in?
North Charleston has a cost-of-living index of 1.13 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). North Charleston is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in North Charleston is $1,500/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs North Charleston?
$100k in North Charleston = $122k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 22.1%.
Which city has better after-tax income — North Charleston or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $72,336 in SC (North Charleston) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $54,336 in North Charleston vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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