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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Charleston, SC: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

1.0% above

Cost of living in Charleston is 1.0% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area (index 101.0; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Charleston is $1,887 a month.

Cost of living in Charleston by category

Overall prices

101.0U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+1.0% vs. U.S.

Goods
96.3 −3.7%
Housing (rents)
119.8 +19.8%
Utilities
88.2 −11.8%
Other services
98.3 −1.7%

BEA 2024 · Charleston metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,887/mo

Median gross rent

+27% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,740 +34% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,888 +27% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$2,567 +53% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$600,300 +66% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,322 +14% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$165/mo

Average electric bill

+6% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
15.5¢/kWh −16% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$22.73/Mcf +17% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
88.2

EIA July 2026 · South Carolina statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

25.4min

Mean travel time to work

−7% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
64.1%
Work from home
16.6%
Gasoline (PADD 1C avg.)
$4.07/gal −7% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$202/wk

Center care, infant

+16% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$188/wk +23% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$184/wk +27% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$139/wk −3% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Charleston County Details: Child care

Income

$98,085/yr

Median household income

+20% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
23%
Home value to income
6.1×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Charleston

Median gross rent in Charleston is $1,887 a month, 27% above the U.S. median of $1,487.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $600,300.

Housing costs: Charleston vs. South Carolina vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Charleston: $1,887; South Carolina: $1,272; U.S.: $1,487 Charleston $1,887 South Carolina $1,272 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Charleston: $2,322; South Carolina: $1,627; U.S.: $2,035 Charleston $2,322 South Carolina $1,627 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Charleston: $600,300; South Carolina: $299,500; U.S.: $360,600 Charleston $600,300 South Carolina $299,500 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureCharlestonSouth CarolinaU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,887$1,272$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,322$1,627$2,035
Median home value$600,300$299,500$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Charleston

Measure Charleston South Carolina U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,887$1,272$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,740$1,203$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,888$1,275$1,490
3-bedroom rent $2,567$1,305$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,322$1,627$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Charleston?

At the median, rent takes about 23% of household income in Charleston. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $75,500 a year.

The median home is worth $600,300, or 6.1 times the median household income.

Household income in Charleston

The median household in Charleston earns $98,085 a year, 20% above the U.S. median of $81,604. About 17% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 16.1% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Charleston vs. South Carolina vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Charleston: $98,085; South Carolina: $72,350; U.S.: $81,604 Charleston $98,085 South Carolina $72,350 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureCharlestonSouth CarolinaU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$98,085$72,350$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Charleston

Household income distribution in Charleston Share of households in Charleston by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 6.5%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 17%. Median $98,085. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $10,000: 6.5% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 3.6% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 3.3% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 1.8% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 1.7% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 1.6% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 2.3% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 5.4% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 6.6% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 13.4% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 9.3% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 6.7% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 14.9% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 17% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $98,085 (Charleston) 17%
Show the data table
RangeCharlestonU.S.
Less than $10,0006.5%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9993.2%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.8%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9993.6%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9993.3%3%
$30,000–$34,9991.8%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9991.7%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9991.6%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9992.3%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9995.4%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9996.6%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99913.4%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9999.3%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9996.7%7.4%
$150,000–$199,99914.9%9.7%
$200,000 or more17%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Charleston South Carolina U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $98,085$72,350$81,604
Median home value $600,300$299,500$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area scored 101.0 for all items. The highest category is housing rents at 119.8; the lowest is utilities at 88.2.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Charleston metro area: 101.0; South Carolina: 93.7; U.S.: 100.0 Charleston metro area 101.0 South Carolina 93.7 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Charleston metro area: 96.3; South Carolina: 96.3; U.S.: 99.6 Charleston metro area 96.3 South Carolina 96.3 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Charleston metro area: 119.8; South Carolina: 80.5; U.S.: 100.6 Charleston metro area 119.8 South Carolina 80.5 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Charleston metro area: 88.2; South Carolina: 88.3; U.S.: 98.4 Charleston metro area 88.2 South Carolina 88.3 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Charleston metro area: 98.3; South Carolina: 98.3; U.S.: 100.1 Charleston metro area 98.3 South Carolina 98.3 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureCharleston metro areaSouth CarolinaU.S.
All items101.093.7100.0
Goods96.396.399.6
Housing (rents)119.880.5100.6
Utilities88.288.398.4
Other services98.398.3100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in South Carolina paid an average of 15.5¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $165 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $22.73 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are South Carolina averages rather than figures for Charleston alone.

Energy prices: South Carolina vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) South Carolina: 15.5¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ South Carolina 15.5¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) South Carolina: $165; U.S.: $157 South Carolina $165 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) South Carolina: $22.73; U.S.: $19.40 South Carolina $22.73 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureSouth CarolinaU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)15.5¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$165$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$22.73$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Charleston who commute spend an average of 25.4 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (64.1% of workers); 16.6% work from home. Gasoline in the Lower Atlantic region (PADD 1C), which includes South Carolina, averaged $4.07 a gallon for regular in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally. EIA publishes no separate South Carolina price.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Charleston: Drove alone 64.1%, Carpooled 9.1%, Public transit 1.3%, Walked 3.9%, Bicycle 0.9%, Worked from home 16.6%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 4.1%. South Carolina: Drove alone 74.9%, Carpooled 9%, Public transit 0.3%, Walked 1.6%, Bicycle 0.2%, Worked from home 12.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Charleston: Drove alone. Charleston Charleston · Drove alone: 64.1% 64.1% Charleston · Carpooled: 9.1% Charleston · Public transit: 1.3% Charleston · Walked: 3.9% Charleston · Bicycle: 0.9% Charleston · Worked from home: 16.6% 16.6% Charleston · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 4.1% South Carolina South Carolina · Drove alone: 74.9% 74.9% South Carolina · Carpooled: 9% South Carolina · Public transit: 0.3% South Carolina · Walked: 1.6% South Carolina · Bicycle: 0.2% South Carolina · Worked from home: 12.3% 12.3% South Carolina · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationCharlestonSouth CarolinaU.S.
Drove alone64.1%74.9%69.2%
Carpooled9.1%9%9.2%
Public transit1.3%0.3%3.7%
Walked3.9%1.6%2.4%
Bicycle0.9%0.2%0.5%
Worked from home16.6%12.3%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)4.1%1.7%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Charleston

Travel time to work in Charleston Share of workers who do not work from home in Charleston by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.6%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 2.1%. Mean 25.4 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.6% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 11.8% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 15.2% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 16.1% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 14.8% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 6.6% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 14.4% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 2.5% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 2% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 5.5% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 7.3% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 2.1% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 25.4 min (Charleston) 16.1%
Show the data table
RangeCharlestonU.S.
Less than 5 min1.6%2.8%
5–9 min11.8%9.4%
10–14 min15.2%13.1%
15–19 min16.1%15%
20–24 min14.8%14.1%
25–29 min6.6%7%
30–34 min14.4%13.7%
35–39 min2.5%3.4%
40–44 min2%4.1%
45–59 min5.5%8.3%
60–89 min7.3%6.3%
90 min or more2.1%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Charleston

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $202 a week in Charleston County, or $10,506 over 52 weeks. That is 16% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. Charleston County is one of the 2 counties Charleston spans and holds 90% of Charleston residents; the database reports counties, not cities.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Charleston County South Carolina (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $202$117$174
Center-based care, toddler $188$117$153
Center-based care, preschool $184$127$144
Center-based care, school-age $139$134$120
Home-based family care, infant $139$134$143
Home-based family care, toddler $139$134$132
Home-based family care, preschool $134$136$131
Home-based family care, school-age $90$140$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Charleston prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Charleston?

Median rent is $1,740 for a one-bedroom and $1,888 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do you need to make to live in Charleston?

To keep the median rent of $1,887 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $75,500 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Charleston more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area at 101.0 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 1.0% above average. Housing rents score 119.8.

How long is the average commute in Charleston?

25.4 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Charleston?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $202 a week in Charleston County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices. Charleston County is one of the 2 counties Charleston spans and holds 90% of Charleston residents; the database reports counties, not cities.