Is West Palm Beach, FL cheaper than Charleston, SC?

Based on cost of living data, West Palm Beach, FL is 10.4% more expensive than Charleston, SC. This translates to spending an extra $780 per month.

What salary do I need in West Palm Beach, FL to live like I do in Charleston, SC?

If you earn $150,000 in Charleston, SC, you'd need approximately $159,363.139 in West Palm Beach, FL to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Charleston, SC and West Palm Beach, FL?

Housing in West Palm Beach, FL is 20.0% more expensive than in Charleston, SC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,927/month in West Palm Beach, FL compared to $2,100/month in Charleston, SC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Charleston, SC to West Palm Beach, FL?

Living in West Palm Beach, FL costs approximately $780 more per month than Charleston, SC, or $9363 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Charleston, SC vs West Palm Beach, FL: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Charleston, SC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $780/month more in West Palm Beach, FL

$150.0K in your current city equals $159.4K in West Palm Beach, FL

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

Overall Cost

↑ 10.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$780

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$9.4K

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

100 = national average

Median Home:$490K

West Palm Beach, FL

Population:124K

Cost Index:

110

(10% above avg)

Median Home:$529K

Charleston, SC

The Palmetto State

155K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

West Palm Beach, FL

The Sunshine State

124K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Florida, this city has a population of 124K residents.

💡 Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Charleston, SC vs West Palm Beach, FL

Category	Charleston, SC	West Palm Beach, FL	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,325/mo	$2,790/mo	↑ $466more	20.0%
Other	$1,691/mo	$1,837/mo	↑ $146more	8.6%
Transportation	$1,265/mo	$1,395/mo	↑ $130more	10.3%
Groceries	$984/mo	$1,054/mo	↑ $70.21more	7.1%
Healthcare	$617/mo	$575/mo	↓ $41.51less	6.7%
All Utilities	$533/mo	$507/mo	↓ $25.40less	4.8%

Housing

↑ 20.0%

Charleston, SC

$2,325

West Palm Beach, FL

$2,790

Difference

$466

Other

↑ 8.6%

Charleston, SC

$1,691

West Palm Beach, FL

$1,837

Difference

$146

Transportation

↑ 10.3%

Charleston, SC

$1,265

West Palm Beach, FL

$1,395

Difference

$130

Groceries

↑ 7.1%

Charleston, SC

$984

West Palm Beach, FL

$1,054

Difference

$70.21

Healthcare

↓ 6.7%

Charleston, SC

$617

West Palm Beach, FL

$575

Difference

$41.51

less

All Utilities

↓ 4.8%

Charleston, SC

$533

West Palm Beach, FL

$507

Difference

$25.40

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,831

To$1,529

↓ $302

1 Bed

From$1,915

To$1,623

↓ $292

2 Bed

From$2,100

To$1,927

↓ $173

3 Bed

From$2,610

To$2,495

↓ $115

Charleston, SCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400–$2,120/mo

West Palm Beach, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,530–$2,410/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

$8,159

Monthly in West Palm Beach, FL

$745

Difference

Home Values

Charleston

West Palm Beach

$490K

Median Value

$529K

↓ -0.3%

YoY Change

↓ -4.1%

↑ +55.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +51.4%

$295K - $1.47M

Price Range

$338K - $787K

Homes in West Palm Beach are 8% more expensive than Charleston

Calculate payment - Charleston Calculate payment - West Palm Beach

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

West Palm Beach, FL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Florida 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%

West Palm Beach, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

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.