Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Rutland?

Rutland, VT 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 Rutland?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Charleston versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Rutland?

Charleston is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Charleston vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Charleston

South Carolina

$1,620/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$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 Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT 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 $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 39% higher in Charleston, SC. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Charleston, SC

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,579

$893

+43% in Charleston, SC

1 Bedroom

$1,430

$856

+40% in Charleston, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,684

$1,097

+35% in Charleston, SC

3 Bedroom

$2,076

$1,207

+42% in Charleston, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$469,100

$176,400

+62% in Charleston, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$90,038

$55,000

+39% in Charleston, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,150

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

48.5 yr

+12.4 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

55.6%

52.7%

+2.9 pp in Charleston, SC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

57.7%

32.2%

+25.5 pp in Charleston, SC

Avg Commute

23.8 min

14.7 min

+9.1 min in Charleston, SC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

358.8

487.8

+36% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

2,035.1

3,973.3

+95% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+22.1°F in Charleston, SC

Annual Precipitation

44.4 in

40.5 in

+4.0 in in Charleston, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

24.4

+57% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$26.07

+10% in Charleston, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Charleston, SC

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / VT)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

8.75%

+2.8 pp in VT

Charleston vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or Rutland?: Rutland, VT 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 Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Charleston versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Charleston or Rutland?: Charleston is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).