Last updated 2026-06-12 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Slightly above the national average, a historic, beachy city with a tourism premium.
Cost of living index (US avg = 100): 104
Median 2BR rent: $2,200/mo
Housing: 118 vs 100
Groceries: 100 vs 100
Utilities: 104 vs 100
Transportation: 98 vs 100
Healthcare: 98 vs 100
Charleston offers a walkable historic core, nearby beaches, and Southern charm. A strong tourism economy pushes costs slightly above the national average.