Charleston is an amazing southern city, steeped in history, culture and delicious Low Country cooking.
If you want to live in a city with a lot going for it, you might want to consider Charleston. This South Carolina spot is one of the best. Not only are you usually steps away from history (of the Civil War variety), but you’ve got beaches, the Intracoastal Waterway and a thriving city center.
What’s even better is that all this comes at a relatively good price. The cost of living in Charleston almost lines up exactly with the national average, sitting only two percent below it. And, while this is pricier by South Carolina standards, the amenities you get at the price are staggering.
To fully understand how make the most of your life in Charleston, though, it’s best to break up the cost of living into its primary parts. Let’s take a look at:
- Housing costs in Charleston
- Food costs in Charleston
- Utility costs in Charleston
- Transportation costs in Charleston
- Healthcare costs in Charleston
- Goods and services costs in Charleston
- Taxes in Charleston
- How much do I need to earn to live in Charleston
- Free things to do in Charleston
Housing costs in Charleston
Housing in Charleston is increasing at different rates, to the point that one-bedroom apartments now average out for more than two-bedroom apartments. Overall, the cost of housing in Charleston is 4.5 percent below the national average, but one-beds are up 23 percent while two-beds are only up by 5 percent. As far as averages go, a typical one-bedroom in Charleston is $1,702 per month, and a two-bed apartment is $1,278.
These prices are on the high end for the state. In Greenville, for example, overall housing costs are 28.7 percent below the national average, and the average price for both one-bed and two-bed apartments is under $1,600.
When it comes to housing prices, for those thinking of buying, there’s a similar breakdown. The median sale price in Charleston, at $520,000, is $190,000 more than homes in Greenville, and this is just with a 6.6 percent increase over last year.
Apartment hunting around Charleston
While there’s no shortage of excellent Charleston neighborhoods to call home, where you live will definitely be influenced by price. Those looking outside the city at Isle of Palms or Folly Beach may have a totally different experience than those navigating in-town communities.
If your housing budget has some wiggle room, and you don’t mind living near a college campus, consider Harleston Village. Near the top end when it comes to housing costs, the average one-bedroom rents out for $2,700 per month. You do get a lot of nearby amenities for that price though. The neighborhood is full of restaurants and bars and is in a perfect city location.
Another little piece of the downtown area, in King Street Historic District, one-bedroom rents are almost right at the city’s average. Expect to pay $1,650 per month to live in the heart of the city’s dining district and near Hampton Park.
With its water views and affordable housing, West Ashley is a favorite neighborhood for those with tighter budgets. A one-bedroom apartment averages out at only $1,411 per month, which is pretty decent for Charleston prices. Known for its strong nightlife and great dining, West Ashley residents know that paying less doesn’t mean you’ll get less when you live in this Charleston neighborhood.
Food costs in Charleston
There’s some amazing food in Charleston, and most of it gets pulled fresh right from the Intracoastal the day you order it off a menu. The city is well known for its oysters and shrimp, and famous dishes include Lowcountry boil, fried seafood and, of course, shrimp and grits.
Overall, the cost of living in Charleston when it comes to food is 3.9 percent above the national average. This is a 2.6 increase over last year but is closely aligned to other South Carolina cities, almost all of which are above the national average. Only Spartanburg is below by 1.7 percent.
While this does impact the bill at the end of a night out, you may feel a bigger impact when it comes to grocery shopping. In Charleston, you may end up paying just a little more for staples like a half gallon of milk ($2.23), a pound of sausage ($5.24) or that loaf of bread ($4.23).
Utility costs in Charleston
Prepare for your electric bill to hit some serious highs in the summer in Charleston. Temperatures are hot and the weather can get a bit oppressive if you’re trying to spend a day outside.
On the opposite end, winters have plenty of windy days and temps do get cold, although they very rarely dip below freezing. For these reasons, utilities in Charleston are 15.3 percent above the national average.
This is high but not the highest in the state. Surprisingly, the cost of utilities in Columbia is 31.9 percent above the national average. While your average electric bill in Charleston is around $219 per month, in Columbia, it’s $278.41.
Transportation costs in Charleston
With so much beachfront just outside Charleston proper, it’s pretty necessary to have a car if you want to maximize your fun in the sun. Charleston is also close to popular vacation spots like Hilton Head and Savannah, so road-tripping is part of the culture for locals.
In general, transportation costs in Charleston are 3.7 percent below the national average. This is a one percent decrease over last year, although the city still ranks high compared to other North Carolina towns.
For those who do use a car to get around town, parking costs are pretty standard if you’re headed into a garage. It will cost you $1 every half hour with a maximum day cost of $18.
If you just keep your car for use on weekends and opt to use public transportation in Charleston, CARTA provides a series of bus routes, express routes and shuttles that move through the city. Some lines do extend onto the islands though, but with limited stops.
A single-way fare is $2, a seven-day pass is $15 and a 31-day pass is $57. Prices go up if you need to ride any of the express routes for your commute.
Healthcare costs in Charleston
Among the more affordable pieces to your cost of living in Charleston is healthcare. At 10 percent below the national average, it’s some of the most reasonable healthcare in the state, and it’s going down. Overall costs dropped by 2.7 percent over last year.
Although your specific healthcare expenses will vary based on your medical history, personal needs and insurance coverage, it’s helpful to see average costs. They may make it easier for you to start thinking about what you can expect to spend in this particular area.
In Charleston, without insurance, the average doctor’s visit is $148.33. The average trip to the dentist is $89, and the average eye exam is $71.32. These estimates are all without insurance. Additionally, average prescription medication costs, without insurance, are $341.25.
This is considerably less than average costs in Spartanburg, where healthcare is 3.5 percent above the national average. Here you’ll pay $22 more to see the dentist and $40 more for the eye doctor. Prescriptions are, on average, $157 more.
Goods and services in Charleston
Items in this category are 7.3 percent below the national average. That means you can keep buying those movie tickets ($10.07), continue bringing a bottle of wine ($11.32) when your friends invite you to a home-cooked dinner and opt for that monthly hair cut ($20) to maintain a polished appearance.
Taxes in Charleston
Across the entire state of South Carolina, sales tax is pretty reasonable. The state sets a 6 percent minimum that cities can add onto. Specifically in Charleston, with an added city tax and a special tax, you’ll pay a nine percent sales tax rate when you shop.
This is higher than the average across the state, and translates to you giving up $90 in taxes for every $1,000 you spend, even if you’re shopping at Charleston City Market.
How much do I need to earn to live in Charleston?
Because some rent prices in Charleston are so high, it’s hard to look at average rents and feel like you can afford them, but the average isn’t all that’s out there, and some excellent neighborhoods offer housing that aligns with just about any budget. You can always use our rent calculator to figure out exactly what you can afford in Charleston.
However, if you take a look at the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment ($1,702), you’d need to earn $71,080 a year to do what the experts advise and only put 30 percent of your income to rent. Since the median household income in Charleston is $43,141, that’s not going to be easy for everyone. Again, plenty of neighborhoods provide more affordable housing, and with rent trends the way they are, you may be able to pay less but get two bedrooms in some spots.
Free things to do in Charleston
Charleston has plenty of free activities, outside all those beaches, that can offer some family fun or date night ideas. There’s something free in just about every category, whether you’re into nature, art, history or something else.
Some freebie favorites include:
- Visiting the Angel Oak Tree in Angel Oak Park. It’s estimated that the tree is 400 years old, and at 65 feet tall, it’s an amazing sight to see.
- Walking through Waterfront Park, which comes complete with old-fashioned park benches and swings. It’s also the home of the famous Pineapple Fountain.
- Paying your respects to past governors, Confederate soldiers and Confederate generals with a visit to Magnolia Cemetery.
- Checking out Fort Sumter from afar with a stroll along the paved public walk that is The Battery. An iconic historic site, the area was once a defensive seawall.
- Continuing on to White Point Garden once you hit the southern end of The Battery. This park has antebellum homes on all sides and massive oak trees with hanging Spanish moss.
- Learning a little about Civil War history at the Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center. There’s a free museum to walk through in addition to the great views of Patriots Point and Fort Sumter itself.
- Taking a selfie along Rainbow Row. This set of 13 colorful buildings is one of the most recognizable spots in the city.
- Visiting the dinosaurs at the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History. Located on the College of Charleston campus, the free museum has more 3,000 different fossils. You can also swing into the college’s Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, which exhibits regional, national and international artists while also maintaining artists-in-residence.
Living in Charleston
It’s almost impossible to think of a reason not to live in Charleston. It’s a history-laden, thriving Southern city, with plenty of culture and natural beauty.
Given that it’s such a robust place, there’s a lot to learn before you become an accepted local in Charleston. What’s great though is you can take your time exploring the city and further immersing yourself in the rich surroundings. So, what are you waiting for?
The Cost of Living Index comes from coli.org. The rent information included in this summary is based on a calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Rent. as of November 2022.
Rent prices are for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
Source: rent.com