Cost of Living in Charleston, SC

Population 152,014 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

142

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Charleston cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $469,000, rents near $1,632 a month.

Cost Overview

Housing 154

Rent 124

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Charleston

The median home value in Charleston is $469,100 — 54% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,632/month, 24% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $90,038/year is 21% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, below the national average of 4.8%. South Carolina's top state income tax rate is 6.4% and the combined sales tax is 7.5%. The climate averages highs of 73.3°F and lows of 61.1°F. Overall, Charleston has a cost of living index of 142 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 42% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$469,100

54% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$581,145

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,632/mo

24% above avg

Zillow Rent

$2,126/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

24.0x

Favors renting

Property Tax Rate

0.6%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$807

1 BR

$841

2 BR

$1,028

3 BR

$1,294

4 BR

$1,567

Owner-occupied 55.6%

Renter-occupied 44.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,632

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,246/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

25.6 min

5% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

17.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

68.1%

Carpooled

6.5%

Public transit

0.9%

Walked

4.2%

Bicycle

1.5%

Work from home

17.6%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 6.4%

Total Sales Tax 7.5%

State rate 6.0%

Avg local rate 1.5%

Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$90,038

21% above avg

Per Capita Income

$58,583

Unemployment Rate

3.4%

29% below avg

Poverty Rate

12.0%

Labor Force Participation

67.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 35.5%

Graduate degree 22.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.1

Male median age 34.3

Female median age 37.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

73.3°F

Avg Low

61.1°F

Annual Precip

44.3"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	58	60	66	72	79	84	88	86	83	76	67	61
Low °F	44	46	52	60	68	74	77	77	73	63	53	47
Precip"	2.56	2.56	3.03	2.96	2.58	4.85	5.08	6.11	5.25	4.07	2.30	2.91

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good

58.1%

Good air days/yr

Max AQI recorded

295

PM2.5 days

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%

4-Year Graduation Rate

14.5:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

50,299

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Charleston, SC?

Charleston has a cost index of 142 (100 = national average). It is 42% above the national average.

What is average rent in Charleston, SC?

The median gross rent in Charleston is $1,632 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Charleston?

The median home value in Charleston is $469,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Charleston?

The median household income in Charleston is $90,038 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Charleston, SC?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Charleston is 7.5%. The South Carolina state income tax top rate is 6.4%.

Is Charleston, SC affordable?

Charleston is above average in cost of living, with an index of 142 — about 42% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Charleston?

Charleston has average high temperatures of 73.3°F and average lows of 61.1°F. Annual precipitation is 44.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Charleston at a Glance

Population: 152,014
Median Income: $90,038
Home Value: $469,100
Median Rent: $1,632/mo
Unemployment: 3.4%
Avg High Temp: 73.3°F
Sales Tax: 7.5%

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