City cost comparison
Charleston vs Charlotte
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Charleston, SC against Charlotte, NC.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Charlotte, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $832 | $809 | +3% cheaper in Charlotte |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,183 | $1,207 | +2% cheaper in Charleston |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $590 | $602 | +2% cheaper in Charleston |
| FoodPer child / month | $342 | $342 | About the same |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $83 | $84 | +1% cheaper in Charleston |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.