Charleston-North Charleston, SC Cost of Living & Economic Score

Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living and household-budget data for the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan statistical area.

C-
InflationRank Score
72 / 100
Costlier than the U.S. average; moderate income offset.
Metro cost level (RPP)
102.0
2% above U.S. (100)
Cost burden
70
0–100 (higher = cheaper)
Income resilience
65
state-level proxy
State context
South Carolina →
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Cost of living in Charleston-North Charleston

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, prices in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan area run 2.0% above the U.S. average (Regional Price Parity index 102.0 on a base of 100). That puts Charleston-North Charleston close to the middle of the U.S. cost-of-living range.

For broader state context — including state taxes, insurance, and energy costs that affect every South Carolina household — see the South Carolina state report.

Other South Carolina metros

Compare to similar-cost metros

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA · RPP 102.0 Bend-Redmond, OR · RPP 102.0 Reno, NV · RPP 102.0 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD · RPP 102.0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 102.0 (U.S.=100), meaning prices are 2.0% above the national average. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Is Charleston-North Charleston an affordable place to live?

Charleston-North Charleston, SC has an InflationRank score of 72/100 (grade C-), reflecting cost of living near the U.S. national average. The metro RPP of 102.0 compares to a U.S. baseline of 100.

How does Charleston-North Charleston compare to other cities for cost of living?

Charleston-North Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 102.0 (U.S.=100), 2.0% above the national average. Similar-cost metros include Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (RPP 102.0), Bend-Redmond, OR (RPP 102.0).

About the InflationRank Score

The InflationRank Score is a proprietary 0–100 composite that summarizes a metro area's cost-of-living and economic conditions on a familiar A–F grading scale. The composite weighs cost level, inflation pressure, and income resilience, sourced from federal government datasets and reviewed annually as federal data refreshes.

Underlying data is drawn from authoritative federal economic agencies and public housing datasets. See full data sources →