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Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Cost of living in Berkeley County, SC

Part of the Charleston Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,783/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 238,723 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,644 43%
Federal tax $578 15%
Healthcare $480 13%
Transport $320 8%
Groceries $318 8%
Energy $204 5%
State tax $184 5%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Berkeley County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,583
per month
1 bedroom
$1,644
per month
2 bedroom
$1,820
per month
3 bedroom
$2,255
per month
4 bedroom
$2,653
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Berkeley County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$82,327
per year
Individual earnings
$45,387
per year
Per capita
$39,727
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Berkeley County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$280,300
Annual property tax
$1,343

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Berkeley County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$168
per month · 15.3¢/kWh
Natural gas
$36
per month
Annual total
$2,448
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Berkeley County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.9%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Berkeley County

State and local tax rates for South Carolina.

State income tax
6.4%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
7.4%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Berkeley County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
29.1 min
Drive alone
78.5%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
10.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Berkeley County

What it costs to live in Berkeley County each month.

Single person
$3,783
per month
  • Rent $1,644
  • Energy $204
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $318
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $578
  • State tax $184
Couple
$5,339
per month
  • Rent $1,820
  • Energy $245
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $527
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,017
  • State tax $381
Family
$7,904
per month
  • Rent $2,255
  • Energy $306
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $800
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,017
  • State tax $381

Frequently asked questions about Berkeley County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Berkeley County?

In Berkeley County, SC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,644 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,820 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,255 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Berkeley County?

In Berkeley County, SC, the average household income is $82,327 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $45,387 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Berkeley County?

The estimated cost of living in Berkeley County, SC is approximately $3,783 per month for a single person, $5,339 for a couple, $7,904 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Berkeley County?

The combined sales tax rate in Berkeley County, SC is 7.44%, which includes the South Carolina state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 1.44%.

Is Berkeley County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Berkeley County, SC would need approximately $3,783 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $82,327 per year ($6,861 per month). Berkeley County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Berkeley County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Berkeley County, SC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Berkeley County?

The average home value in Berkeley County, SC is $280,300, with average annual property taxes of $1,343, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Berkeley County compare to other areas?

You can compare Berkeley County, SC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Berkeley County is in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area.

Other counties in South Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in South Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in South Carolina

Compare Berkeley County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources