Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Charleston versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Provo?

Charleston is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Charleston vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Charleston

South Carolina

$1,620/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Charleston, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $90,038 in Charleston, SC and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 30% higher in Charleston, SC. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Charleston, SC

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$1,579

$1,009

+36% in Charleston, SC

1 Bedroom

$1,430

$978

+32% in Charleston, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,684

$1,128

+33% in Charleston, SC

3 Bedroom

$2,076

$1,381

+33% in Charleston, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$469,100

$437,100

+7% in Charleston, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$90,038

$62,800

+30% in Charleston, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,150

$48,010

+2% in Charleston, SC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

23.7 yr

+12.4 yr in Charleston, SC

Homeownership

55.6%

39.9%

+15.7 pp in Charleston, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

57.7%

45.0%

+12.7 pp in Charleston, SC

Avg Commute

23.8 min

18.5 min

+5.3 min in Charleston, SC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

358.8

205.7

+43% in Charleston, SC

Property Crime

2,035.1

1,280.6

+37% 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

66.7°F

53.4°F

+13.3°F in Charleston, SC

Annual Precipitation

44.4 in

19.8 in

+24.7 in in Charleston, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Provo, UT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

13.4

+14% in Charleston, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$11.84

+59% in Charleston, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Charleston, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Provo, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / UT)

6.1%

+0.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

4.50%

+1.5 pp in SC

Charleston vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Charleston, SC's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Charleston than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Charleston versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Provo?: Charleston is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).