What is the average rent in Charleston?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Charleston city centre costs approximately USD 2,322 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to USD 1,779 (saving 23%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around USD 3,515.

Is Charleston affordable to live in?

Charleston is expensive overall. Groceries are expensive, restaurants are expensive, and local purchasing power is weak.

🇺🇸 SC, United States · #35 of 558 cities · 2026

Cost of Living in Charleston

9.9% above the United States average

Ranked #35 of 558 cities · More expensive than 93.7% of cities worldwide

+9.9%

Cost of Living

See United States ranking →

+5.2%

Rent

See United States ranking →

+17.2%

Groceries

See United States ranking →

-11.9%

Purchasing Power

See United States ranking →

Compared to United States average

Rent Prices

Rent Prices in Charleston

Apartment	City Centre	Outside Centre	You Save
1-Bedroom	USD 2,322/mo	USD 1,779/mo	23%
3-Bedroom	USD 3,515/mo	USD 2,555/mo	23%

Numbeo · 2026-03-12

Prices

Prices of Goods & Services in Charleston

🛒

Groceries

Item	Price	Sources
Apples (1kg)	$4.20	1 source
Beer (0.5L, supermarket)	$2.85	1 source
Bread (500g)	$2.67	1 source
Local cheese (1kg)	$14.00	1 source
Chicken (1kg)	$14.00	1 source
Cigarettes (Marlboro)	$8.00	1 source
Eggs (12)	$6.00	1 source
Milk (1L)	$1.05	1 source
Potatoes (1kg)	$2.28	1 source
Tomatoes (1kg)	$4.25	1 source
Wine (mid-range)	$22.00	1 source

Apples (1kg)

$4.20

Beer (0.5L, supermarket)

$2.85

Bread (500g)

$2.67

Local cheese (1kg)

$14.00

Chicken (1kg)

$14.00

Cigarettes (Marlboro)

$8.00

Eggs (12)

$6.00

Milk (1L)

$1.05

Potatoes (1kg)

$2.28

Tomatoes (1kg)

$4.25

Wine (mid-range)

$22.00

🍽️

Restaurants

Item	Price	Sources
Draft beer (0.5L)	$6.00	1 source
Cappuccino	$7.00	1 source
McMeal	$12.00	1 source
Cheap meal	$20.00	1 source
Mid-range dinner (2 people)	$118.00	1 source

Draft beer (0.5L)

$6.00

Cappuccino

$7.00

McMeal

$12.00

Cheap meal

$20.00

Mid-range dinner (2 people)

$118.00

👗

Clothing & Shoes

Item	Price	Sources
Business shoes (leather)	$125.00	1 source
Jeans (Levi's 501)	$59.00	1 source
Sport shoes (Nike)	$91.00	1 source
Summer dress (Zara/H&M)	$56.00	1 source

Business shoes (leather)

$125.00

Jeans (Levi's 501)

$59.00

Sport shoes (Nike)

$91.00

Summer dress (Zara/H&M)

$56.00

🏋️

Leisure

Item	Price	Sources
Cinema ticket	$13.50	1 source
Gym membership	$43.00	1 source

Cinema ticket

$13.50

Gym membership

$43.00

🚌

Transportation

Item	Price	Sources
Gasoline (1L)	$0.80	1 source
Monthly pass	$55.00	1 source

Gasoline (1L)

$0.80

Monthly pass

$55.00

⚡

Utilities

Item	Price	Sources
Basic utilities (85m²)	$265.00	1 source

Basic utilities (85m²)

$265.00

Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. August 2026.

Cost Indices

Cost of Living

+9.9% Expensive

Rent

+5.2% Average

Groceries

+17.2% Expensive

Restaurants

+13.4% Expensive

Purchasing Power

-11.9% Weak

Living in Charleston: What to Expect

Charleston is expensive by global standards (ranked #35 of 558 cities). It is 9.9% more expensive than the United States average, based on 80 cities.

Groceries are expensive, while dining out is expensive. Rent offers the best value, while Groceries is the priciest.

Local purchasing power is limited — residents can afford fewer goods and services than in most cities.

Cost of Living in Charleston

Rent Prices in Charleston

Prices of Goods & Services in Charleston

Groceries

Restaurants

Clothing & Shoes

Leisure

Transportation

Utilities

Cost Indices

Living in Charleston: What to Expect

How Does Charleston Compare?

Planning a Move to Charleston?