A real, honest side-by-side comparison of what life actually costs in four Carolina cities — so you can make an informed decision before you move.
If you are trying to decide where to plant roots in the Carolinas, cost of living is usually near the top of the list. You want to know what your money actually buys — not what a calculator tells you, but what life costs on a Tuesday when you are paying rent, buying groceries, filling up your tank, and trying to have something left over at the end of the month.
Florence, South Carolina does not always make the shortlist when people compare cities. Charlotte is bigger and more recognized. Myrtle Beach has the ocean. Columbia has the capital-city energy and the University of South Carolina. But when you line all four cities up side by side and look at the actual numbers, Florence holds its own in ways that might surprise you.
Here is an honest, up-to-date comparison.
| Category | Florence, SC | Charlotte, NC | Myrtle Beach, SC | Columbia, SC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average 1BR Rent | ~$1,087/mo | ~$1,485/mo | ~$1,250/mo | ~$1,100/mo |
| Average 2BR Rent | ~$1,114/mo | ~$1,795/mo | ~$1,622/mo | ~$1,190/mo |
| Median Home Price | ~$265K | ~$416K | ~$299K | ~$250K |
| Cost of Living vs. National Avg. | ~13% below | ~1% below | ~7% below | ~11% below |
| Traffic & Commute | Minimal | Heavy — major metro | Seasonal congestion | Moderate |
| Beach Access | 1 hr to Myrtle Beach | 3–4 hrs | On the coast | 2 hrs |
| Mountains Access | ~3 hrs | ~1.5 hrs | 4+ hrs | ~2.5 hrs |
Sources: RentCafe, Apartments.com, Redfin, Salary.com, BestPlaces · 2025–2026 data · All figures are approximations and subject to change.
Housing is where cost of living comparisons are won and lost. Everything else is noise compared to what you pay every month for a roof over your head.
The average rent for an apartment in Florence runs around $1,106 per month, with one-bedrooms coming in closer to $933. In Charlotte, the average one-bedroom apartment costs approximately $1,485 per month — about 60 percent more than Florence for a comparable unit. Myrtle Beach averages around $1,372 per month in rent, which sounds manageable until you factor in the seasonal nature of that market and the higher utility costs that come with coastal living. Columbia is Florence's closest competitor on affordability, ranking as one of the most affordable major cities in South Carolina.
On the homeownership side, the story is similar. The median home sale price in Florence County came in around $265,000, making it one of the more accessible housing markets in the state. Compare that to Charlotte, where the median home price sits around $416,400 — more than $150,000 higher than Florence. Myrtle Beach's median listing price hovers near $299,000, while Columbia's average home price came in around $250,000 in recent months.
In Florence, your housing dollar goes further than in Charlotte or Myrtle Beach. Columbia is the only city that competes with Florence on housing costs — and even there, it depends heavily on which part of Columbia you are looking at.
Housing is the biggest line item, but it is not the only one. Florence's overall cost of living runs about 13 percent below the national average, which means everyday expenses — groceries, healthcare, utilities, and services — are all trending more affordable than what most Americans pay.
Charlotte's cost of living index sits right around the national average — essentially 99 to 102 out of 100 — meaning you are paying roughly what the average American pays, but in a city where housing has climbed significantly in recent years. Myrtle Beach comes in about 7 percent below the national average overall, but that figure hides some important details — utilities in Myrtle Beach run nearly 17 percent higher than the national average, driven by the coastal climate and the energy demands that come with it. Columbia is the most affordable of the four cities, coming in roughly 11 percent below the national average.
Florence lands comfortably between Columbia and Myrtle Beach on overall affordability — and well ahead of Charlotte.
Charlotte is the obvious comparison for anyone in the Carolinas. It is the largest city in the region, with a booming job market, professional sports teams, a growing food and arts scene, and name recognition that Florence cannot match.
It also costs significantly more to live there.
Charlotte's overall cost of living sits essentially at the national average, which sounds reasonable until you look at what has happened to its housing market. The median home price has climbed well past $400,000, and a one-bedroom apartment in Charlotte now averages around $1,697 per month in many neighborhoods.
The trade-off is real. Charlotte offers more jobs, more entertainment, more options. But the paycheck you need to live comfortably there is substantially higher than what you need in Florence. For families, remote workers, retirees, and anyone who does not need to be in a major metro for work — Florence's proximity to Charlotte (about two hours away) means you can access the city when you want it without paying Charlotte prices every single day.
Myrtle Beach has an obvious appeal. You are living on the South Carolina coast. The ocean is minutes away. The lifestyle is relaxed, tourism keeps things lively, and the overall affordability beats Charlotte handily.
But there is a beach premium, and it shows up in ways people do not always anticipate.
Myrtle Beach's median home listing price sits near $299,000 — higher than Florence's $265,000 and trending upward as more people discover the Grand Strand. Rent runs noticeably higher too. Utilities in Myrtle Beach are about 17 percent above the national average, and traffic during tourist season can be genuinely frustrating for residents who live there year-round.
Florence's advantage is that the beach is not out of reach — it is roughly one hour away. You can spend a weekend at Myrtle Beach, pay Florence prices every other day of the year, and come out significantly ahead financially. That is a trade-off a lot of people find very attractive.
Columbia is Florence's most direct competition on cost of living. As the state capital and home to the University of South Carolina, it has the energy, amenities, and infrastructure of a larger city at prices that are genuinely affordable.
Columbia's overall cost of living runs about 10 to 11 percent below the national average, and its housing market is accessible — though prices have been climbing steadily as more people discover it. The median home sale price in Columbia came in around $250,000 to $271,000 recently, up meaningfully from prior years.
Florence and Columbia are close on the numbers. The real differences come down to lifestyle and what you are looking for. Columbia has more going on — more restaurants, more nightlife, a bigger university presence, more government-sector jobs. Florence is quieter, more rooted, and in many ways more livable for families who want space, community, and a pace of life that does not feel like it is always accelerating.
One meaningful advantage Florence holds over Columbia: location. Florence sits at the intersection of I-95 and I-20 — one of the most connected spots in the Southeast. You are an hour from the beach, two hours from Charlotte, and closer to the coast than Columbia in every direction that matters for weekend escapes.
Cost of living comparisons are useful, but they miss something important: the quality of life that comes from where you choose to live.
Florence is a city where the commute does not consume your day. Where your neighbors learn your name. Where you are close enough to the beach, the mountains, and a major metro to get there when you want — but you are not paying for all three in your monthly rent.
Florence's costs run about 13 percent below the national average, which means more of your income stays in your pocket. That translates to real things: a better home for the same money, less financial stress, more ability to save, and more flexibility in how you live your life.
"No spreadsheet captures that. But people who move here tend to feel it pretty quickly."
If you are purely optimizing for the lowest cost of living, Columbia edges Florence slightly on overall affordability. But Florence wins on location, community warmth, and the combination of affordability plus access to the rest of the state.
If you are comparing Florence to Charlotte, the numbers are not close — Florence is significantly more affordable on housing, rent, and overall cost of living.
If you are weighing Florence against Myrtle Beach, Florence costs less, has less traffic, and still puts you an hour from the ocean.
For the person who wants an affordable, well-connected, genuine community — Florence, SC is a case that makes itself.
Thinking about making the move? Start with our Move to Florence guide or explore the Cost of Living in Florence, SC — 2026 for a deeper breakdown of what daily life actually costs in the Pee Dee.
Data sources: RentCafe, Apartments.com (C2ER Cost of Living Index), Redfin, Salary.com, BestPlaces · 2025–2026 · All figures are approximations. Costs vary by neighborhood, property type, and market conditions. We recommend verifying current figures directly with local real estate and rental platforms before making housing decisions.
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