Cost of Living in North Charleston, SC - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,065 (excluding rent), and $2,645 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,628 (excluding rent), and $4,909 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.94 $17.94

$8.97 $8.97

$34.88 $34.88

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$85.1 $85.1

$37.9 $37.9

$92.1 $92.1

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.09 $10.09

$15.13 $15.13

Cappuccino

$6.37 $6.37

$3.49 $3.49

$7.84 $7.84

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

$2.5 $2.5

$1.96 $1.96

$3.93 $3.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.04 $2.04

$3.31 $3.31

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.04 $6.04

$3.52 $3.52

$7.05 $7.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$5.05 $5.05

$10.1 $10.1

Milk (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$0.62 $0.62

$1.1 $1.1

White Bread (500g)

$3.99 $3.99

$1.09 $1.09

$4.93 $4.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.17 $3.17

$1.7 $1.7

$6.24 $6.24

Eggs

$3.87 $3.87

$1.84 $1.84

$6.12 $6.12

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.05 $14.05

$7.77 $7.77

$21.72 $21.72

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.71 $12.71

$5.02 $5.02

$13.36 $13.36

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$10.78 $10.78

$17.26 $17.26

Apples (1kg)

$6.84 $6.84

$3.35 $3.35

$10.71 $10.71

Banana (1kg)

$1.68 $1.68

$1.29 $1.29

$1.98 $1.98

Oranges (1kg)

$4.55 $4.55

$3.06 $3.06

$6.54 $6.54

Tomato (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$2.81 $2.81

$6.45 $6.45

Potato (1kg)

$2.91 $2.91

$1.58 $1.58

$3.83 $3.83

Onion (1kg)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.97 $1.97

$3.07 $3.07

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.06 $2.06

$1.33 $1.33

$2.65 $2.65

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$1.95 $1.95

$3.93 $3.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.56 $7.56

$6.47 $6.47

$7.97 $7.97

Wine (Bottle)

$15.39 $15.39

$8.93 $8.93

$18.36 $18.36

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.69 $1.69

$2.79 $2.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$1.79 $1.79

$5.9 $5.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.53 $3.53

$1.26 $1.26

$3.53 $3.53

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.48 $30.48

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.02 $3.02

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.51 $1.51

$1.43 $1.43

$5.08 $5.08

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.3 $20.3

$35.53 $35.53

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$0.74 $0.74

$0.96 $0.96

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

$29.3K $29.3K

$23.1K $23.1K

$35.5K $35.5K

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

$25.7K $25.7K

$25.1K $25.1K

$28.2K $28.2K

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

$214 $214

$94 $94

$254 $254

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

$65.6 $65.6

$17.25 $17.25

$91.3 $91.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73 $73

$50.4 $50.4

$106 $106

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.62 $43.62

$17.75 $17.75

$50.7 $50.7

Cinema Ticket

$12.19 $12.19

$9.14 $9.14

$20.32 $20.32

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

$755 $755

$661 $661

$2,004 $2,004

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.2K $14.2K

$25.7K $25.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.8 $60.8

$19.86 $19.86

$84.4 $84.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.33 $43.33

$17.83 $17.83

$74.3 $74.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.3 $92.3

$49.21 $49.21

$133 $133

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$138 $138

$59.9 $59.9

$200 $200

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,971 $1,971

$1,402 $1,402

$2,540 $2,540

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,279 $1,279

$1,082 $1,082

$1,377 $1,377

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,918 $1,918

$1,771 $1,771

$2,066 $2,066

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,009 $2,009

$1,642 $1,642

$2,447 $2,447

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,841 $2,841

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,814 $2,814

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,340 $4,340

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.49

6.8

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

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Cost of Living in North Charleston, SC - Frequently Asked Questions

North Charleston tends to offer a favorable balance for longer stays, especially when comparing rent-to-space and everyday expenses with larger coastal metros. Cost of Living in North Charleston, SC, United States is typically more approachable for those who want room to work, relax, and explore without breaking the bank. You’ll find a mix of apartment layouts, townhomes, and single-family options that often feel more generous for your money. Local groceries, dining, and services strike a practical tone, and you’ll notice value in neighborhood access to parks and transit. This makes it attractive for travelers staying a few weeks, expats settling in, and digital nomads building a routine. Tip: Start with a month-to-month stay in a central district to test neighborhoods.

Daily life centers on practical choices: pick a neighborhood that suits your pace, with a range of apartment blocks and townhomes to match budgets. Grocery stores, seafood markets, and local eateries offer variety without the extremes of high tourist zones. For transport, CARTA buses and ridesharing cover many routes, while car ownership remains common and convenient for weekend getaways or beaches. Co working spaces and quiet cafes exist for work days, and you will find parks and waterfront paths for breaks. The North Charleston, SC, United States living cost varies by area, so compare a few properties before committing. Tip: Schedule a weekend neighborhood crawl to feel the vibe.

Quality of life improves when you use a simple budgeting framework: needs, wants, and savings, then adapt as you explore. In North Charleston you can balance housing by choosing compact, efficient spaces near transit with larger homes in quieter pockets for more room. To save, consider longer leases, cook at home most nights, and shop seasonal produce. The rhythm changes with seasons: hot summers push activities to early morning or evening, while shoulder seasons reduce crowds and may ease scheduling for housing searches. Neighborhood fit comes from walking a few blocks, testing coffee spots, and noting commute times. Tip: map two to three neighborhoods you like and compare distance to work, markets, and parks before deciding.