salaryNorth Charleston is the 3rd-largest city in South Carolina that we track, with 119,913 residents. Rent is higher than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.5 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $69,960 a year. That is $34 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 73 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in North Charleston?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in North Charleston
| Size | North Charleston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,471 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,365 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,524 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,708 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,153 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is North 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 North Charleston
Life in North Charleston
What jobs pay in North Charleston
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $145,950 | 14.4% |
| Software Developer | $132,150 | 15.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $128,920 | 16.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,780 | 16.4% |
| Lawyer | $127,280 | 16.5% |
| Operations Manager | $109,260 | 19.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,300 | 20.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,740 | 21.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,570 | 22.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $92,800 | 22.6% |
| Accountant | $79,350 | 26.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,650 | 32.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,100 | 32.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,020 | 34.4% |
| Police Officer | $60,570 | 34.7% |
| Electrician | $59,010 | 35.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,410 | 35.9% |
| Plumber | $57,360 | 36.6% |
| Truck Driver | $55,150 | 38.1% |
| Carpenter | $50,380 | 41.7% |
| Firefighter | $46,830 | 44.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,600 | 46.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,000 | 47.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,810 | 54.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,090 | 55.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,710 | 57.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,090 | 61.6% |
| Cashier | $30,130 | 69.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $19,340 | 108.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in North Charleston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $348 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $302,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $30,220 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in North Charleston, SC?
Renting in North Charleston costs a median of about $1,749 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in North Charleston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $69,960 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is North Charleston cheap or expensive?
North Charleston is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.9% of the typical household income of $67,898. It ranks 73rd cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in North Charleston?
The median homeowner in North Charleston pays $1,527 a year in property taxes, about 0.51% of the median home value.
Is North 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 North Charleston?
The median home value in North Charleston is $302,200, about 4.5 times the typical yearly household income.
119,913 people live in North Charleston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.