Is Nashville, TN cheaper than Charleston, SC?

Based on cost of living data, Nashville, TN is 6.4% more expensive than Charleston, SC. This translates to spending an extra $478 per month.

What salary do I need in Nashville, TN to live like I do in Charleston, SC?

If you earn $150,000 in Charleston, SC, you'd need approximately $155,738.951 in Nashville, TN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Charleston, SC and Nashville, TN?

Housing in Nashville, TN is 14.0% more expensive than in Charleston, SC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,840/month in Nashville, TN compared to $2,100/month in Charleston, SC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Charleston, SC to Nashville, TN?

Living in Nashville, TN costs approximately $478 more per month than Charleston, SC, or $5739 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Charleston, SC vs Nashville, TN: 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 $478/month more in Nashville, TN

$150.0K in your current city equals $155.7K in Nashville, TN

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

Overall Cost

↑ 6.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$478

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$5.7K

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

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:106

Median Home:$489K

Charleston, SC

The Palmetto State

155K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Nashville, TN

The Volunteer State

689K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Music City USA
•Country music capital
•Healthcare industry hub

Major Industries

Music IndustryHealthcareTourismFinance

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Charleston, SC vs Nashville, TN

Category	Charleston, SC	Nashville, TN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,325/mo	$2,651/mo	↑ $326more	14.0%
📦Other	$1,691/mo	$1,942/mo	↑ $251more	14.8%
🛒Groceries	$984/mo	$949/mo	↓ $34.83less	3.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,265/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $18.91more	1.5%
⚡All Utilities	$533/mo	$519/mo	↓ $13.44less	2.5%
🏥Healthcare	$617/mo	$607/mo	↓ $9.36less	1.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 14.0%

Charleston, SC

$2,325

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Difference

$326

📦Other

↑ 14.8%

Charleston, SC

$1,691

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Difference

$251

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.5%

Charleston, SC

$984

Nashville, TN

$949

Difference

$34.83

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 1.5%

Charleston, SC

$1,265

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Difference

$18.91

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.5%

Charleston, SC

$533

Nashville, TN

$519

Difference

$13.44

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 1.5%

Charleston, SC

$617

Nashville, TN

$607

Difference

$9.36

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,831

To$1,600

↓ $231

1 Bed

From$1,915

To$1,680

↓ $235

2 Bed

From$2,100

To$1,840

↓ $260

3 Bed

From$2,610

To$2,350

↓ $260

Charleston, SCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400–$2,120/mo

Nashville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,320–$2,230/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

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$538

Difference

Home Values

Charleston

Nashville

$490K

Median Value

$489K

↓ -0.3%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +55.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.1%

$295K - $1.47M

Price Range

$320K - $1.16M

Calculate payment - Charleston Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.0K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$830

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

6.6%

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

Nashville, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Charleston, SC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:0.6%

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

💡 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.