Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Fargo?

Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Charleston versus $32,000 in Fargo.

Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Fargo?

Charleston is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax).

Charleston vs Fargo Cost of Living 2026

Charleston

South Carolina

$1,620/mo est.

Fargo

North Dakota

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,620 in Charleston, SC versus $940 in Fargo, ND. Overall, Fargo, ND is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Charleston, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,038 in Charleston, SC and $66,029 in Fargo, ND — about 27% higher in Charleston, SC. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Charleston, SC

Fargo, ND

Rent

Studio

$1,579

$671

+58% in Charleston, SC

1 Bedroom

$1,430

$804

+44% in Charleston, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,684

$956

+43% in Charleston, SC

3 Bedroom

$2,076

$1,368

+34% in Charleston, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$469,100

$269,800

+42% in Charleston, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$90,038

$66,029

+27% in Charleston, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,150

$51,050

+4% in Fargo, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

32.2 yr

+3.9 yr in Charleston, SC

Homeownership

55.6%

44.1%

+11.5 pp in Charleston, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

57.7%

43.2%

+14.5 pp in Charleston, SC

Avg Commute

23.8 min

15.8 min

+8.0 min in Charleston, SC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

358.8

504.9

+41% in Fargo, ND

Property Crime

2,035.1

3,726.4

+83% in Fargo, ND

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

66.7°F

42.4°F

+24.3°F in Charleston, SC

Annual Precipitation

44.4 in

22.6 in

+21.8 in in Charleston, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Fargo, ND

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

13.6

+16% in Charleston, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.35

$11.39

+58% in Charleston, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Fargo, ND

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Charleston, SC

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Fargo, ND

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Fargo, ND

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Fargo, ND

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / ND)

+1.0 pp in SC

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

2.50%

+3.5 pp in SC

Charleston vs Fargo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Fargo?: Fargo, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Charleston than in Fargo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Charleston versus $32,000 in Fargo.
Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Fargo?: Charleston is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Fargo under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).