Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Charleston?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Charleston?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $57,000 in Charleston.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Charleston?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Charleston under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Charleston Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Charleston

South Carolina

$1,620/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $1,620 in Charleston, SC. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Charleston, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $90,038 in Charleston, SC — about 3% higher in Charleston, SC. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Charleston, SC

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$1,579

+43% in Charleston, SC

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,430

+42% in Charleston, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,684

+42% in Charleston, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$2,076

+25% in Charleston, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$469,100

+103% in Charleston, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$90,038

+3% in Charleston, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$49,150

+1% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

about equal

Homeownership

65.5%

55.6%

+9.9 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

57.7%

+24.3 pp in Charleston, SC

Avg Commute

20.8 min

23.8 min

+3.0 min in Charleston, SC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

358.8

+256% in Charleston, SC

Property Crime

1,149.4

2,035.1

+77% in Charleston, SC

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.1°F

66.7°F

+15.6°F in Charleston, SC

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

44.4 in

+13.8 in in Charleston, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Bellevue, NE

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

16.2

+19% in Charleston, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$27.35

+76% in Charleston, SC

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Bellevue, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Charleston, SC

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Bellevue, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Bellevue, NE

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Bellevue, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / SC)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

6.00%

+1.5 pp in SC

Bellevue vs Charleston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Charleston?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Charleston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $57,000 in Charleston.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Charleston?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Charleston under South Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).