Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Charleston versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.

Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Pittsburgh?

Charleston is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Charleston vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Charleston

South Carolina

$1,620/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Pittsburgh, PA is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Charleston, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,038 in Charleston, SC and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 29% higher in Charleston, SC. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Charleston, SC

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

$1,579

$1,109

+30% in Charleston, SC

1 Bedroom

$1,430

$1,079

+25% in Charleston, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,684

$1,269

+25% in Charleston, SC

3 Bedroom

$2,076

$1,450

+30% in Charleston, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$469,100

$193,200

+59% in Charleston, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$90,038

$64,137

+29% in Charleston, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,150

$49,650

+1% in Pittsburgh, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

33.5 yr

+2.6 yr in Charleston, SC

Homeownership

55.6%

47.2%

+8.4 pp in Charleston, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

57.7%

47.8%

+9.9 pp in Charleston, SC

Avg Commute

23.8 min

23.1 min

+0.7 min in Charleston, SC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

358.8

436

+22% in Pittsburgh, PA

Property Crime

2,035.1

2,315.7

+14% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

51.8°F

+14.9°F in Charleston, SC

Annual Precipitation

44.4 in

39.3 in

+5.1 in in Charleston, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

21.6

+33% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.35

$19.17

+30% in Charleston, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Pittsburgh, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Charleston, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Pittsburgh, PA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / PA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

3.07%

+2.9 pp in SC

Charleston vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Pittsburgh?: Pittsburgh, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Charleston than in Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Charleston versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Pittsburgh?: Charleston is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).