Cost of living in Charleston
Charleston (SC), United States
compared to
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Cost of living in Charleston vs. United States overall average
Charleston is 8.4% more expensive than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 9.0% more in Charleston
- Groceries
-
pay 18.0% more in Charleston
- Transportation
-
pay 7.1% less in Charleston
- Housing
-
pay 23.6% more in Charleston
- Childcare
-
pay 13.0% more in Charleston
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 9.9% less in Charleston
- Clothing
-
pay 12.5% more in Charleston
The cost of housing, groceries, childcare, clothing, and restaurants in Charleston are more expensive than in United States. Expenses including entertainment and sports and transportation are lower in Charleston.
Charleston Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $25.00 |
$17.00
-
$50.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.00 |
$9.00
-
$11.00
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.47 |
$2.00
-
$4.00
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $2.10 |
$2.00
-
$4.00
|
Charleston - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.56 |
$1.62
-
$5.00
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $5.62 |
$3.31
-
$11.02
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $3.78 |
$3.00
-
$5.50
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.55 |
$1.80
-
$5.99
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $6.37 |
$2.50
-
$18.00
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $3.67 |
$1.81
-
$5.99
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.76 |
$0.59
-
$1.75
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.73 |
$1.50
-
$7.00
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.56 |
$1.70
-
$4.50
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.82 |
$1.00
-
$4.00
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.55 |
$0.89
-
$3.00
|
Charleston - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $3.17 |
$2.77
-
$3.65
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $57.00 |
$57.00
-
$65.00
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $34,444.87 |
$33,190.00
-
$35,699.74
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $15.53 |
$15.53
-
$42.77
|
Charleston - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$64.89 |
$50.00
-
$105.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $2,450.00 |
$2,000.00
-
$3,500.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $1,675.00 |
$1,500.00
-
$2,500.00
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$196.55 |
$152.94
-
$229.41
|
Charleston - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $1,476.00 |
$1,284.00
-
$2,000.00
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $26,000.00 |
$26,000.00
-
$26,000.00
|
Charleston - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $6.75 |
$5.00
-
$8.00
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $5.25 |
$3.50
-
$7.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$7.00 |
$7.00
-
$8.00
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $29.17 |
$20.00
-
$55.00
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $13.25 |
$12.00
-
$20.00
|
Charleston - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$62.80 |
$20.00
-
$100.00
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$43.75 |
$30.00
-
$60.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$93.75 |
$60.00
-
$160.00
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $120.00 |
$60.00
-
$200.00
|
Charleston - Cost of clothing
Tip: Try viewing our aggregate cost of living in South Carolina
to see the average cost of cities throughout South Carolina, like
Summerville,
York,
Hilton Head Island,
Tega Cay,
Belton,
and more.
For a detailed breakdown of Santa Cruz vs. the national average, see the cost of living in United States compared to Charleston.
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