Charleston, SC at a glance
Median household income
$92,414$7,701 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Charleston, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Charleston, SC? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Charleston-North Charleston, SC MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,557 | $18,684 | $62,280 | 20.2% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,630 | $19,560 | $65,200 | 21.2% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,787 | $21,444 | $71,480 | 23.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,222 | $26,664 | $88,880 | 28.9% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,562 | $30,744 | $102,480 | 33.3% |
What a typical income covers in Charleston, SC
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $92,414 a year ($7,701 a month before tax).
What $92,414 leaves after South Carolina taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and South Carolina tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in South Carolina
Living in Charleston, SC: common questions
What is the median household income in Charleston, SC?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Charleston, SC is $92,414 per year (approximately $7,701 per month).
What is the average rent in Charleston, SC?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,557 for a studio, $1,630 for one bedroom, $1,787 for two, $2,222 for three and $2,562 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Charleston, SC expensive to live in?
Prices there run 1% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 101.0, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Charleston, SC?
To keep a $1,787 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $71,480 a year, or $5,957 a month. That is 77% of what the typical household in Charleston, SC earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Charleston, SC?
On the local median income of $92,414 ($7,701 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,851 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,310 for everything else and $1,540 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,787 takes 46% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Charleston, SC?
Homes in South Carolina paid 15.6¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $140. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.