Cost of Living Comparison Between Charleston, SC and Orlando, FL Cost of Living Comparison Between Charleston, SC and Orlando, FL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,987 per month in Charleston, SC vs $2,941 in Orlando, FL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,266 per month in Charleston, SC vs $4,227 in Orlando, FL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,544 per month in Charleston, SC vs $5,512 in Orlando, FL, rent included.

Charleston, SC costs about 2% more than Orlando, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Charleston, SC and Orlando, FL sit above the global median – Charleston, SC by 123%, Orlando, FL by 119%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.31 $18.31

$19.84 $19.84

-7.71%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.6 $78.6

$79.4 $79.4

-1.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.18 $10.18

$11.60 $11.60

-12.24%

Cappuccino

$5.00 $5.00

$4.99 $4.99

0.20%

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

$2.42 $2.42

$2.97 $2.97

-18.52%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.88 $1.88

$2.38 $2.38

-21.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.17 $6.17

$6.03 $6.03

2.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.76 $7.76

$7.08 $7.08

9.60%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 $1.01

$1.14 $1.14

-11.40%

White Bread (500g)

$3.82 $3.82

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.18 $3.18

$5.10 $5.10

-37.65%

Eggs

$4.67 $4.67

$4.39 $4.39

6.38%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.00 $14.00

$11.44 $11.44

22.38%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.05 $15.05

$11.68 $11.68

28.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.20 $17.20

$16.77 $16.77

2.56%

Apples (1kg)

$5.72 $5.72

$6.16 $6.16

-7.14%

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 $1.66

$2.01 $2.01

-17.41%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.43 $6.43

$6.11 $6.11

5.24%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.05 $4.05

$3.29 $3.29

23.10%

Potato (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$2.65 $2.65

44.53%

Onion (1kg)

$2.86 $2.86

$2.31 $2.31

23.81%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.80 $1.80

$2.64 $2.64

-31.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.68 $1.68

16.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.30 $7.30

$8.33 $8.33

-12.36%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.70 $19.70

$14.90 $14.90

32.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 $1.86

$2.23 $2.23

-16.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.76 $2.76

15.22%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.04 $2.04

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$57.5 $57.5

$50.3 $50.3

14.37%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.95 $2.95

-0.34%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.60 $1.60

$1.92 $1.92

-16.67%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.70 $19.70

$34.88 $34.88

-43.52%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.77 $0.77

$0.89 $0.89

-13.48%

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

$33.2K $33.2K

$26.8K $26.8K

23.86%

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

$24.6K $24.6K

$25.9K $25.9K

-4.94%

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

$143 $143

$205 $205

-30.57%

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

$53.8 $53.8

$67.5 $67.5

-20.23%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.3 $73.3

$77.9 $77.9

-5.92%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.48 $29.48

$38.45 $38.45

-23.33%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.21 $18.21

$7.34 $7.34

148.09%

Cinema Ticket

$13.10 $13.10

$14.97 $14.97

-12.49%

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

$1,326 $1,326

$1,184 $1,184

12.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.7K $24.7K

$9,810 $9,810

151.79%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.37 $49.37

$47.58 $47.58

3.76%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.46 $35.46

$37.02 $37.02

-4.21%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.4 $92.4

$82.6 $82.6

11.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$113 $113

37.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,511 $2,511

$1,674 $1,674

50.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,725 $1,725

$1,558 $1,558

10.69%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,406 $4,406

$2,795 $2,795

57.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,698 $2,698

$2,559 $2,559

5.44%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,667 $5,667

$3,030 $3,030

87.03%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,973 $2,973

$2,675 $2,675

11.12%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,627 $4,627

$4,641 $4,641

-0.28%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.59

-1.21%

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

Last update for Charleston, SC: May 30, 2026

Last update for Orlando, FL: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,511 in Charleston, SC versus $1,674 in Orlando, FL. 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 0% higher in Orlando, FL, 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 $79.0 in Charleston, SC versus $79.0 in Orlando, FL. Groceries tell a different story – $436 in Charleston, SC vs $404 in Orlando, FL – so Orlando, FL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Orlando, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Charleston, SC costs about 2% more than Orlando, FL, 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 $4,480 per month in Charleston, SC and $4,412 in Orlando, FL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $1,326 per month in Charleston, SC and $1,184 in Orlando, FL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% 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 $2,987 in Charleston, SC and $2,941 in Orlando, FL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Orlando, FL – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Orlando, FL. 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.