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Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Cost of living in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston County, SC

Part of the Charleston Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,856/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 414,711 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,644 43%
Federal tax $633 16%
Healthcare $480 12%
Transport $320 8%
Groceries $318 8%
Energy $204 5%
State tax $202 5%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Charleston

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 Charleston

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$84,320
per year
Individual earnings
$48,751
per year
Per capita
$54,769
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Charleston

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$450,800
Annual property tax
$1,864

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Charleston

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 Charleston

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.9%

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 Charleston

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 Charleston

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
24.9 min
Drive alone
71.8%
Public transit
1.0%
Work from home
15.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Charleston

What it costs to live in Charleston each month.

Single person
$3,856
per month
  • Rent $1,644
  • Energy $204
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $318
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $633
  • State tax $202
Couple
$5,383
per month
  • Rent $1,820
  • Energy $245
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $527
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,050
  • State tax $392
Family
$7,948
per month
  • Rent $2,255
  • Energy $306
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $800
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,050
  • State tax $392

Frequently asked questions about Charleston

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Charleston?

In Charleston, South Carolina, 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 Charleston?

In Charleston, South Carolina, the average household income is $84,320 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $48,751 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Charleston?

The estimated cost of living in Charleston, South Carolina is approximately $3,856 per month for a single person, $5,383 for a couple, $7,948 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Charleston?

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

Is Charleston an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Charleston, South Carolina would need approximately $3,856 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $84,320 per year ($7,027 per month). Charleston has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Charleston?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Charleston, South Carolina is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Charleston?

The average home value in Charleston, South Carolina is $450,800, with average annual property taxes of $1,864, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Charleston compare to other areas?

You can compare Charleston, South Carolina with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Charleston 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 Charleston 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