Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than Charleston, SC?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 0.2% more expensive than Charleston, SC. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in Charleston, SC?

If you earn $150,000 in Charleston, SC, you'd need approximately $150,161.925 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Charleston, SC and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 6.2% more expensive than in Charleston, SC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $2,100/month in Charleston, SC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Charleston, SC to Charlotte, NC?

Charleston, SC and Charlotte, NC have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

Charleston, SC vs Charlotte, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Charleston, SC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Fayetteville, NC area

Current salary in Charleston, SC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $13.49/month more in Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.2K in Charlotte, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Charleston-North Charleston, SC area

Overall Cost

↑ 0.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$13.49

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$162

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Charleston, SC

Population:155K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$490K

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$399K

Charleston, SC

The Palmetto State

155K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in South Carolina, this city has a population of 155K residents.

Charlotte, NC

The Tar Heel State

875K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major banking center
•NASCAR headquarters
•Queen City

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyEnergyMotorsports

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Charleston, SC vs Charlotte, NC

Category	Charleston, SC	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,325/mo	$2,469/mo	↑ $144more	6.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,265/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $63.05less	5.0%
🏥Healthcare	$617/mo	$638/mo	↑ $21.61more	3.5%
📦Other	$1,691/mo	$1,707/mo	↑ $16.14more	1.0%
⚡All Utilities	$533/mo	$519/mo	↓ $13.44less	2.5%
🛒Groceries	$984/mo	$989/mo	↑ $5.14more	0.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 6.2%

Charleston, SC

$2,325

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$144

🚗Transportation

↓ 5.0%

Charleston, SC

$1,265

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$63.05

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 3.5%

Charleston, SC

$617

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$21.61

📦Other

↑ 1.0%

Charleston, SC

$1,691

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$16.14

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.5%

Charleston, SC

$533

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$13.44

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.5%

Charleston, SC

$984

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$5.14

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,831

To$1,630

↓ $201

1 Bed

From$1,915

To$1,710

↓ $205

2 Bed

From$2,100

To$1,870

↓ $230

3 Bed

From$2,610

To$2,300

↓ $310

Charleston, SCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400–$2,120/mo

Charlotte, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340–$2,310/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,414

Monthly in Charleston, SC

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$110

Difference

Home Values

Charleston

Charlotte

$490K

Median Value

$399K

↓ -0.3%

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

↑ +55.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

$295K - $1.47M

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Homes in Charlotte are 19% less expensive than Charleston

Calculate payment - Charleston Calculate payment - Charlotte

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.8K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$236

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.9%

Rate difference

Charleston, SC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

South Carolina State Tax

Effective: 6.6%

$10.0K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.3%

$47.0K

Take-Home Pay

$8,586/month

$103.0K

Charlotte, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Charleston, SC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:0.6%

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.