Skip to content
piomover.
Start a comparison

City guide · South Carolina

Moving to Charleston, SC

Historic, food scene, hurricane risk.

Pop. 150kCost index 96.0 · 100 = US avgMedian rent $2,000/moMedian home $580kWalk score 41

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 · EIA electricity (live) city-level

Charleston (metro area) has an overall price level 96.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
96.0
Housing index
80.5
Groceries index (modeled)
99.0
Utilities index (modeled)
99.4
Electricity rate
16.5 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
99.2
Median home value (est.)
$580,000
Median monthly rent (est.)
$2,000/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

South Carolina unemployment is 4.8% with median household income $72k.

Unemployment rate
4.8%
Median household income
$72,350
Per-capita income
$40,195
Labor-force participation
61.3%
Right-to-work state
Yes
Nurse Licensure Compact
Member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) city-level

Charleston: median home value $580,000.

Home value
$580,000
Rent
$2,000/mo
Homeownership rate
72.0%
Natural-hazard risk (FEMA county avg)
71/100
Hurricane exposure
High
Wildfire exposure
Low
Tornado risk
Low
Earthquake risk
Elevated

Sources: NAEP 2024 · NCES CCD · College Scorecard (live) · internal estimates state-level

South Carolina 4th-grade math proficiency: 40% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
40.0%
Per-pupil spending
$12,723
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
16
Public 4-yr grad rate
55.0%
Notable universities
Public flagship + regional schools

Compare Charleston to where you live now

Salary you'd need, tax delta, rent reality-check, and a 90-day move timeline — one clear verdict.

Start free comparison