Charleston, SC, USA
Editor
March 12, 2023
The city of Charleston, South Carolina is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a change of scenery. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty, Charleston is the perfect place to work remotely and explore. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Charleston is over 134,000, making it the second-largest city in South Carolina. The city is also home to a thriving tech industry, with over 1,000 tech companies located in the area. The cost of living in Charleston is also relatively low, with the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment coming in at around $1,000 per month. Additionally, the city is home to a number of coworking spaces, making it easy for digital nomads to find a place to work. With its mild climate, Charleston is also a great place to enjoy outdoor activities year-round. From the beaches of Folly Beach to the trails of the Francis Marion National Forest, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors. With its combination of affordability, culture, and natural beauty, Charleston is an ideal destination for digital nomads.
Living in Charleston, SC, USA: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
68%
Quality of life -
82%
Cost of living -
74%
Connectivity -
90%
Weather
53
General
| Currency | USD |
| Population (in millions) | 134 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 135 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 8% more expensive |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Downtown, West Ashley |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 40 |
| Top selling local beer | Palmetto |
| Most popular local dish | Gullah cuisine |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Magnolia Plantation, Fort Sumter, Waterfront Park |
| Discount airline | Southwest |
| Major airline | American Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Lyft |
| Primary train stations | Charleston Amtrak Station, North Charleston Amtrak Station, and Summerville Amtrak Station |
| Primary airports | Charleston International Airport, Charleston Executive Airport, and Mount Pleasant Regional Airport |
| Best rental car company | Enterprise Rent-A-Car |
| Used car costs | 15000 USD |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Apple Store, Citadel Mall, 2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407 |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A,B,C |
| Supply voltage | 120V |
| Best electronics store | BestBuy |
| Best internet carrier | Spectrum |
| Primary cellular carrier | Verizon |
| Average monthly cost for internet | $60.00 |
Shopping
| The best drug store | CVS |
| Best restaurant chain | Halls Chophouse |
| The best grocery store | Harris Teeter |
| The most popular fashion brand | Lilly Pulitzer |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $50,945 / year |
| Average annual income | $50,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 8.5% |
| Income tax rate | 6.6% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 days |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 4.25% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 200 USD |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Wells Fargo |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15-20% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 911 (general), 843-743-7200 (police), 843-577-7400 (ambulance), 843-7 |
| Polution per square meter | 1,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | Not available |
| Main religion | Christianity |
Quality of life
68%
-
58%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
46%
Property to income -
42%
Crime -
71%
Healthcare -
90%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $4,122 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 5.43% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | $1,100 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | $23,667 |
Cost of living
82%
-
Purchasing Power
0%
-
Rent
56%
-
Food
83%
-
Restaurant
78%
-
Workspace
36%
-
Transport
31%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | $1,900.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | $1,566.67 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | $3,666.67 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | $2,500.00 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | $22.50 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | $0.80 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | $2.88 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | $4.00 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | $9.59 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | $2.25 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $14.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $1.95 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $3.07 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | $7.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | $12.28 |
| Apples (1kg) | $5.11 |
| Oranges (1kg) | $5.16 |
| Potato (1kg) | $3.56 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $1.68 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | $3.42 |
| Tomato (1kg) | $4.97 |
| Banana (1kg) | $1.67 |
| Onion (1kg) | $3.55 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | $18.73 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | $20.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | $60.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | $8.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | $5.25 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $6.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | $1.99 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | $1.66 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $4.60 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | $237.34 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | $0.10 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $64.62 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $29.80 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | $22.50 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | $12.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | $2.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | $57.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $0.80 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | $23,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | $22,281.83 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | $3.50 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | $1.40 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | $25.00 |
