Cost of Living in Charleston, United States
Charleston is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $3,358 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2,400 per month, or $1,828 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Charleston scores 52/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 89°F and winter highs around 61°F, with roughly 239 sunny days a year.
Charleston Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Charleston
How Charleston Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Charleston ranks in the top 5% for healthcare, but costs more than 94% of them.
| Metric | Charleston | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $3,358 | #323 of 340 | #70 of 80 |
| Safety | 52/100 | #230 of 340 | #29 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 92/100 | #14 of 340 | #14 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 65/100 | #123 of 340 | #18 of 80 |
| Public transit | 12/100 | #301 of 340 | #67 of 80 |
| Food scene | 92/100 | #15 of 340 | #3 of 80 |
| Air quality | 83/100 | #148 of 340 | #34 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Charleston
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Charleston.
- St. Petersburg, United States — $2,797/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 45/100
- Victoria, Canada — $2,060/mo, 39% cheaper, safety 76/100
- Vancouver, Canada — $2,180/mo, 35% cheaper, safety 75/100 · Compare with Charleston
- Tampa, United States — $2,765/mo, 18% cheaper, safety 45/100
Charleston FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Charleston?
A single person should budget around $3,358 per month in Charleston, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $5,620 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Charleston?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Charleston averages $2,400 per month, dropping to about $1,828 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $3,890.
Is Charleston safe?
Charleston scores 52/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 68/100.
How fast is the internet in Charleston?
Median download speeds in Charleston are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 38 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Charleston?
Charleston sees summer highs around 89°F and winter highs near 61°F, with about 239 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 82 days.
Charleston in our travel guides
Visa Requirements for United States
Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for United States and how to apply.
Explore More
See Charleston on the interactive map →