CostIndexUSA

Charleston, SC vs Spartanburg, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

SC
Charleston
101
overall index
$1,950/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Spartanburg
91.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Spartanburg is moderately cheaper than Charleston — 9.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $72,200 in Spartanburg. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing43.2%
Charleston
119.8
Spartanburg
68
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Charleston
96.3
Spartanburg
96.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Charleston
103.2
Spartanburg
103.2
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Charleston
93.4
Spartanburg
93.4
Utilities≈ Equal
Charleston
88.2
Spartanburg
88.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Charleston to see what you'd need to earn in Spartanburg to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Spartanburg, SC
$72,200
$7,800 less needed in Spartanburg

Formula: salary × (91.1 ÷ 101) = salary × 0.9020. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Charleston, SC

Median Home Price
$425,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,950
Housing Index
119.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Spartanburg, SC

Median Home Price
$272,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
68
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Charleston has 43.2% lower housing costs compared to Spartanburg.

Income & Job Market

Charleston, SC

Median Household Income
$85,200
Per Capita Income
$48,600
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
150,227
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareTechnologyManufacturing

Spartanburg, SC

Median Household Income
$61,200
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
38,732
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareAutomotiveEducationRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Charleston, SC
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Spartanburg, SC
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.