How expensive is Charleston compared to the rest of United States?

Charleston ranks #26 out of 577 cities globally. It is 20.8% more expensive than the United States average, based on 82 cities. The rent index is 46.9 and local purchasing power is 139.2.

What is the average rent in Charleston?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Charleston city centre costs approximately USD 2,325 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to USD 1,709 (saving 27%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around USD 3,553.

Is Charleston affordable to live in?

Charleston is very expensive by global standards. Groceries are very expensive, restaurants are expensive, and local purchasing power is average.

🇺🇸 SC, United States · 2026

Coste de Vida en Charleston

20.8% por encima del promedio de United States

Posición #26 de 577 ciudades · Más cara que el 95.5% de las ciudades del mundo

+20.8%

Coste de Vida

+13.6%

Alquiler

+20.8%

Supermercado

-3.5%

Poder Adquisitivo

Comparado con el promedio de United States · Ver ranking de United States →

Precios de Alquiler en Charleston

Apartamento	Centro	Fuera del Centro	Ahorras
1 Dormitorio	USD 2,325/mo	USD 1,709/mo	27%
3 Dormitorios	USD 3,553/mo	USD 2,623/mo	26%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

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. October 2026.

Multi-Source Comparison

★★ Medium Confidence

Charleston has a cost of living index of 69.7 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 2 of 3 data sources. Expatistan is left out because it sits more than 15% away from the others.

69.7

Index

Sources

5.9

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

66.7

Expatistan

56.0

left out

LivingCost

72.6

ShouldIMove price index

No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities

Índices de Coste

Coste de Vida

+20.8% Very expensive

Alquiler

+13.6% Expensive

Supermercado

+20.8% Very expensive

Restaurantes

+14.5% Expensive

Poder Adquisitivo

-3.5% Average

Vivir en Charleston: Qué Esperar

Charleston es very expensive según estándares globales (puesto #26 de 577 ciudades). Está 20.8% más caro que el promedio de United States, basado en 82 ciudades.

Los comestibles son very expensive, mientras que comer fuera es expensive. Rent ofrece el mejor valor, mientras que Groceries es lo más caro.

El poder adquisitivo local es fuerte: los residentes pueden permitirse más bienes y servicios que en la mayoría de ciudades.