Charleston, SC vs Summerville, SC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Summerville is 20.3% cheaper than Charleston. With a cost index of 103 vs 123, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Summerville to Charleston should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Charleston is $1,632/month compared to $1,414/month in Summerville — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Summerville is more affordable at $295,700 median vs $469,100.

Median household income in Charleston is $90,038 compared to $78,621 in Summerville (+14.5%). The higher salaries in Charleston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Charleston spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21.6% in Summerville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (67.2°F vs 66.5°F). Summerville receives more rainfall at 52.5" per year compared to 44.3" in Charleston.