Charleston, South Carolina
In Charleston, South Carolina, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.80 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.26 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,969, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Charleston's cost-of-living index of 98 puts it below the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$3.80
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$1,969
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$12.74
Combo meal
Electricity
15.41¢
per kWh · ~$139/mo
Car Insurance
$182/mo
$2,180/yr
Median Household Income
$84,320
35.7% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $2,180 in Charleston. Compare rates:
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Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Charleston residents actually pay.
Save on Gas
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Find Apartments
Avg rent $1,969/mo in Charleston. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$5.04 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$7.90 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$6.51 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$1.97 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$5.55 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$11.94 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$5.34 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$4.78 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$5.18 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$2.89 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.17 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$8.05 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$4.87 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$6.15 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$8.70 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.08 | $5.04 | +23.5% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.51 | $7.90 | +21.4% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.64 | $6.51 | +15.4% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.49 | $1.97 | +32.2% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.29 | $5.55 | +29.4% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $8.35 | $11.94 | +43.0% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $3.84 | $5.34 | +39.1% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.01 | $4.78 | +19.2% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.51 | $5.18 | +14.9% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.25 | $2.89 | +28.4% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.73 | $2.17 | +25.4% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.51 | $8.05 | +46.1% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.21 | $4.87 | +15.7% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.62 | $6.15 | +33.1% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $6.15 | $8.70 | +41.5% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$12.74
Casual Dining
$23.27
Monthly Spend
$370.52
+4.36% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $7.90
$12.74
+61.3%Wendy's
2022: $8.92
$13.76
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $9.55
$14.27
+49.4%Starbucks
2022: $4.20
$5.83
+38.8%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Charleston?
Average 1BR: $1,615/mo · 2BR: $2,323/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
278k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,313
$68k/yr
Top Sector
Trade, Transportation & Utilities
Household vs Worker Pay
$84k
household median
Employment by Sector — Charleston
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$56k/yr
~$78k/yr
~$33k/yr
~$67k/yr
~$96k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 45019
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$2,074/wk · $108k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$644/wk · $33k/yr
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