Charleston, SC Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Charleston, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Charleston →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Charleston is a city of roughly 149,960 in South Carolina. The median household there earns $83,891 annually, which runs above the multi-city median income (+16%).
The typical home in Charleston is worth $438,900, above the multi-city median (+34%), while the typical renter pays $1,517 a month. Either path — buying or renting — deserves a look at today's rates before deciding.
Buying a typical home in Charleston would run about 5.2 years of median household income — a moderate multiple, not unusually high or low. Home prices near Charleston have risen a steady 2.3% over the past year — measured growth, not a spike. FEMA's National Risk Index puts Charleston at Relatively High for overall natural-hazard risk, a factor that can push home insurance costs up.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,517/mo in Charleston would take 21.7% of your income.
$580/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($438,900) would take 33.5% of your income toward principal & interest.
$386/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Charleston
Median home value is $438,900 and median gross rent is $1,517/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Charleston rose 2.3% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,787/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Charleston's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Charleston reported a violent crime rate of 280.5 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Charleston
Planning a move to Charleston? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Charleston, SC?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Charleston's median home value at $438,900, median rent at $1,517/month, and median household income at $83,891.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Charleston?
- At Charleston's median rent of $1,517/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $60,680 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Charleston.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Charleston?
- Buying at Charleston's median home value of $438,900 takes about $100,418 a year in principal-and-interest income (20% down, 30-year fixed, current mortgage rates), compared with roughly $60,680 a year to comfortably rent at the median $1,517/month. Down payment and expected length of stay usually settle the question.
- Is Charleston safe?
- Charleston reported a violent crime rate of 280.5 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.
See the full salary breakdown for Charleston →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Charleston's.