Charleston, SC vs Greenville, SC

Greenville is moderately more affordable than Charleston, with a 14.6% lower cost of living index. Charleston scores 123 compared to 108 for Greenville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Charleston can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Charleston is $1,632/month compared to $1,248/month in Greenville — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Greenville is more affordable at $453,300 median vs $469,100.

Median household income in Charleston is $90,038 compared to $68,460 in Greenville (+31.5%). While Charleston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Charleston spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, less than the 21.9% in Greenville.

Climate-wise, Charleston is notably warmer with an average of 67.2°F compared to 63.3°F in Greenville. Greenville receives more rainfall at 47" per year compared to 44.3" in Charleston.