salaryCharleston is the largest city in South Carolina that we track, with 154,338 residents. Rent is higher than in 74% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.1 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 58.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $84,680 a year. That is $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other South Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of South Carolina. It is number 95 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Charleston?
Share of households by yearly income. 36.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Charleston
| Size | Charleston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,608 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,656 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,837 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,329 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,765 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Charleston overall?
Everyday prices in the Charleston-North Charleston metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 101.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Charleston
Life in Charleston
What jobs pay in Charleston
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $145,950 | 17.4% |
| Software Developer | $132,150 | 19.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $128,920 | 19.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,780 | 19.9% |
| Lawyer | $127,280 | 20.0% |
| Operations Manager | $109,260 | 23.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,300 | 24.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,740 | 25.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,570 | 26.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $92,800 | 27.4% |
| Accountant | $79,350 | 32.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,650 | 38.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,100 | 39.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,020 | 41.6% |
| Police Officer | $60,570 | 41.9% |
| Electrician | $59,010 | 43.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,410 | 43.5% |
| Plumber | $57,360 | 44.3% |
| Truck Driver | $55,150 | 46.1% |
| Carpenter | $50,380 | 50.4% |
| Firefighter | $46,830 | 54.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,600 | 55.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,000 | 57.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,810 | 65.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,090 | 66.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,710 | 69.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,090 | 74.5% |
| Cashier | $30,130 | 84.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $19,340 | 131.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Charleston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,420 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $509,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $50,970 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Charleston, SC?
Renting in Charleston costs a median of about $2,117 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in Charleston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $84,680 a year, or $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Charleston cheap or expensive?
Charleston is rated OK: rent takes 25.5% of the typical household income of $99,668. It ranks 95th cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Charleston?
The median homeowner in Charleston pays $2,214 a year in property taxes, about 0.43% of the median home value.
Is Charleston more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Charleston?
The median home value in Charleston is $509,700, about 5.1 times the typical yearly household income.
154,338 people live in Charleston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.