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

Costo della Vita a Charleston

20.8% sopra la media di United States

Classificata #26 su 577 città · Più costosa del 95.5% delle città a livello mondiale

+20.8%

Costo della Vita

+13.6%

Affitto

+20.8%

Generi Alimentari

-3.5%

Potere d'Acquisto

Rispetto alla media di United States · Vedi classifica United States →

Prezzi degli Affitti a Charleston

Appartamento	Centro Città	Fuori Centro	Risparmi
1 Camera	USD 2,325/mo	USD 1,709/mo	27%
3 Camere	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 | Data collected: Numbeo ottobre 2026 · LivingCost ottobre 2026

Indici di Costo

Costo della Vita

+20.8% Very expensive

Affitto

+13.6% Expensive

Generi Alimentari

+20.8% Very expensive

Ristoranti

+14.5% Expensive

Potere d'Acquisto

-3.5% Average

Vivere a Charleston: Cosa Aspettarsi

Charleston è very expensive secondo gli standard globali (classificata #26 su 577 città). È 20.8% più costoso rispetto alla media di United States, basato su 82 città.

La spesa alimentare è very expensive, mentre mangiare fuori è expensive. Rent offre il miglior rapporto qualità-prezzo, mentre Groceries è il più costoso.

Il potere d'acquisto locale è forte: i residenti possono permettersi più beni e servizi rispetto alla maggior parte delle città.