Retirement Savings Calculator for Charleston, SC
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
The median household income in Charleston is $72,000. With a cost of living index of 113, your retirement needs will be higher than average. Planners generally recommend saving 10–15% of income; at Charleston's median income that's $8,640–$10,800 per year.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Charleston local data
How Charleston Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Charleston stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Charleston, SC | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $430,000 | $420,800 | +2.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,917 | $1,713 | +11.9% |
| Median Household Income | $72,000 | $74,580 | -3.5% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.58% | 1.10% | -47.3% |
| Cost of Living Index | 113 | 100 | +13.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Charleston Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 850,000
- Unemployment
- 3.0%
- Avg Commute
- 26 min
- Median Age
- 37.5
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 18.7x
- Annual Property Tax
- $2,494
Retirement Savings Calculator in Other South Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Charleston
What is the median home price in Charleston, SC?
The median home price in Charleston is $430,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Charleston?
Median monthly rent in Charleston is $1,917. That works out to $23,004/year, or 32% of the median household income — above the recommended 30% threshold.
Is Charleston affordable?
Charleston's cost of living index is 113 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $72,000/year and a median home price of $430,000, the price-to-income ratio is 6.0x. Charleston falls in the middle of the affordability spectrum for US cities.
What is the property tax rate in Charleston?
The effective property tax rate in Charleston is 0.58% of assessed value. On the median home of $430,000, that's roughly $2,494/year ($208/month).