Charleston, United States

Cost of Living in Charleston, United States

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Charleston costs approximately $3,358 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $2,400. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 331 sunny days a year.

LGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$3,358≈ $112/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$2,400
Internet303 Mbps
Safety52/100
Avg Temp75°F

Charleston Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$22.50
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$140
McDonald's Combo Meal$12.80
Cappuccino$6.62
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$7.50
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$2.78

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.12
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$4.03
Eggs (12)$5.66
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$6.70
Apples (1 lb)$4.50
Bananas (1 lb)$1.12
Tomatoes (1 lb)$3.90
Potatoes (1 lb)$2.59
Water (1.5L Bottle)$3.50
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$18
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$9.25

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$2
Monthly Transit Pass$57
Taxi Start$3
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.52
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.78
VW Golf (New)$35,405.87

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$222.25
Mobile Phone Plan$93.18
Broadband Internet$83.18

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$43.33
Cinema Ticket$15.50
Preschool (Monthly)$1,496.80
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$32,350

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$73.80
Nike Running Shoes$102.80

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$2,399.88
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,828.33
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$3,890
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$2,620
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$501.13
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$278.84

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$4,534
Mortgage Interest Rate6.23%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$5,620.20
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,530.10

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Charleston

Internet303 Mbps
Safety52/100
Healthcare92/100
Public Transit12/100
Walkability65/100
Nightlife58/100
Food Scene92/100
Fine Dining18/100
Coffee Culture35/100
Air Quality83/100
Green Spaces65/100
Culture90/100
Beaches72/100
Hiking28/100
Surfing15/100
Coworking Spaces38

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.

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 331 sunny days and 127 rainy days per year.

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 →

Similar destinations in North America

Compare Charleston

Read our travel & relocation guides →

Browse all cities →