Cost of Living in Charleston
Summary of cost of living in Charleston, SC, United States:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 5,674.9$, excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,543.0$, excluding rent.
- Charleston is 11.7% less expensive than New York (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Charleston is, on average, 47.4% lower than in New York.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 25.00 $ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 150.00 $ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 13.00 $ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 7.00 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 9.00 $ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 6.38 $ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 2.78 $ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 2.61 $ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 1.08 $ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 4.03 $ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 2.17 $ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 5.52 $ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 9.85 $ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 6.70 $ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 9.50 $ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 4.50 $ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 1.12 $ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 2.37 $ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 3.90 $ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 2.59 $ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 2.45 $ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 2.78 $ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 3.50 $ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 18.00 $ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 1.96 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 4.00 $ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 9.25 $ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 2.00 $ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 57.00 $ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 3.00 $ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 2.52 $ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 32.20 $ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 0.78 $ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 35,405.87 $ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 25,784.04 $ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 222.25 $ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 92.08 $ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 80.38 $ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 43.33 $ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 20.00 $ | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 15.50 $ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 1,496.80 $ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 32,350.00 $ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 73.80 $ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 47.00 $ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 102.80 $ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 136.67 $ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 2,612.50 $ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,828.33 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 4,290.00 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 2,742.86 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 501.13 $ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 278.84 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 4,534.00 $ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.23 | |
Prices in Charleston, South Carolina
This city had 254 entries in the past 12 months by 21 different contributors.
Last update: 5 January 2026
Last update: 5 January 2026
Sources and References
Moving to Charleston, SC? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Goose Creek, South Carolina | 17.63 miles |
| Cost of Living in Savannah, Georgia | 107.85 miles |
| Cost of Living in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina | 108.76 miles |
| Cost of Living in Columbia, South Carolina | 113.88 miles |
| Cost of Living in Wilmington, North Carolina | 167.68 miles |
| Cost of Living in Charlotte, North Carolina | 208.93 miles |
| Cost of Living in Hope Mills, North Carolina | 210.39 miles |
| Cost of Living in Greenville, South Carolina | 213.16 miles |
| Cost of Living in Stanfield, North Carolina | 236.20 miles |
| Cost of Living in Jacksonville, Florida | 238.86 miles |
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