Here's what it costs to live in Charleston, South Carolina, based on the latest US government data. Renters pay a median of $1,722 per month, while the typical home is valued around $509,700. Households earn a median of $92,414 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is good, with an average AQI of 42. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$92,414
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,722
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$509,700
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
N/A
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,557
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,630
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,787
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,222
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | N/A |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | N/A |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | N/A |
| ⚡Electrician | N/A |
| 📊Accountant | N/A |
| 🔧Plumber | N/A |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | N/A |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | N/A |
| 👔Operations Manager | N/A |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | N/A |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | N/A |
| 🚛Truck Driver | N/A |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
154,338
Latest estimate
Median Age
36.6 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
42.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
N/A
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,422
Per month
Avg Home Value
$413,300
Census ACS
January Avg
50°F
July Avg
83°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Temperate · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.6
poor
Hospitals
6
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
94.0%
What is the cost of living index for Charleston?
The cost of living index for Charleston is not yet available in our database.
What is the median rent in Charleston?
The median gross rent in Charleston is $1,722 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Charleston?
The median household income in Charleston is $92,414 per year.
What is the median home value in Charleston?
The median home value in Charleston is $509,700 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Charleston?
Charleston has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 42.0, which is rated "Good" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Charleston?
Tax data for South Carolina is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
