Cost of Living Comparison Between Charleston, SC and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Charleston, SC and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,323 per month in Charleston, SC vs $3,106 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,806 per month in Charleston, SC vs $4,599 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,288 per month in Charleston, SC vs $6,092 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Charleston, SC costs about 7% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Charleston, SC and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Charleston, SC by 142%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.96 $19.96

$19.86 $19.86

0.50%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$141 $141

$88.3 $88.3

59.54%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.89 $11.89

$13.23 $13.23

-10.13%

Cappuccino

$6.00 $6.00

$5.86 $5.86

2.39%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.85 $2.85

$2.61 $2.61

9.20%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.25 $2.25

$2.32 $2.32

-3.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.58 $6.58

$7.03 $7.03

-6.40%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.89 $7.89

$9.25 $9.25

-14.70%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.15 $1.15

$1.34 $1.34

-14.18%

White Bread (500g)

$4.09 $4.09

$4.19 $4.19

-2.39%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.57 $4.57

$5.50 $5.50

-16.91%

Eggs

$5.54 $5.54

$4.71 $4.71

17.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$23.14 $23.14

$14.72 $14.72

57.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.28 $14.28

$14.53 $14.53

-1.72%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.69 $20.69

$19.69 $19.69

5.08%

Apples (1kg)

$8.07 $8.07

$5.64 $5.64

43.09%

Banana (1kg)

$1.86 $1.86

$1.97 $1.97

-5.58%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.20 $5.20

$4.04 $4.04

28.71%

Tomato (1kg)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.07 $5.07

40.43%

Potato (1kg)

$5.00 $5.00

$2.94 $2.94

70.07%

Onion (1kg)

$3.69 $3.69

$2.92 $2.92

26.37%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.87 $2.87

$2.28 $2.28

25.88%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.26 $3.26

$3.12 $3.12

4.49%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.13 $10.13

$16.19 $16.19

-37.43%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.90 $19.90

$15.17 $15.17

31.18%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.67 $2.67

3.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.48 $3.48

-16.09%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.06 $2.06

$2.54 $2.54

-18.90%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$56.6 $56.6

$76.0 $76.0

-25.56%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.96 $2.96

$3.16 $3.16

-6.33%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.37 $1.37

-12.41%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$31.75 $31.75

$22.66 $22.66

40.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.94 $0.94

$1.20 $1.20

-21.67%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35.2K $35.2K

$37.0K $37.0K

-4.99%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.0K $25.0K

$26.0K $26.0K

-4.07%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$230 $230

$190 $190

21.17%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$79.0 $79.0

$68.5 $68.5

15.32%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$85.1 $85.1

$61.1 $61.1

39.33%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.03 $46.03

$63.8 $63.8

-27.83%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.71 $19.71

$27.80 $27.80

-29.10%

Cinema Ticket

$13.73 $13.73

$18.28 $18.28

-24.89%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,244 $1,244

$1,525 $1,525

-18.39%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$28.0K $28.0K

$32.0K $32.0K

-12.57%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.6 $76.6

$64.0 $64.0

19.60%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.89 $46.89

$54.4 $54.4

-13.81%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 $115

$101 $101

13.83%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$137 $137

$153 $153

-10.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,335 $2,335

$2,421 $2,421

-3.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,730 $1,730

$1,690 $1,690

2.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,489 $3,489

$4,584 $4,584

-23.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,631 $2,631

$2,782 $2,782

-5.43%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,541 $5,541

$4,170 $4,170

32.88%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,034 $3,034

$2,739 $2,739

10.80%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,548 $4,548

$4,777 $4,777

-4.81%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.07

6.38

-4.86%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Charleston, SC: August 29, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,335 in Charleston, SC versus $2,421 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 5% higher in Chicago, IL, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $141 in Charleston, SC versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $536 vs $465 – making Chicago, IL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Charleston, SC vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Charleston, SC costs about 7% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,985 per month in Charleston, SC and $4,659 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chicago, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $1,244 per month in Charleston, SC and $1,525 in Chicago, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 15% more in Charleston, SC, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,323 in Charleston, SC and $3,106 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chicago, IL costs $3,106 versus $3,323 in Charleston, SC. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Charleston, SC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.