Charleston, SC vs Tampa, FL: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Tampa, FL and Charleston, SC are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Charleston works out to about $74,900 in Tampa, before taxes.
- Housing is 5.1% higher in Tampa, goods 0.9% lower and other services 0.7% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,991 a month in Tampa and $2,037 in Charleston, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $357,000 in Tampa and $437,000 in Charleston.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Tampa was 1.7% less expensive than Charleston.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Charleston and Tampa
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Charleston, SC
- Tampa, FL
All items Charleston, SC: 101.0 Tampa, FL: 100.9
Goods Charleston, SC: 96.3 Tampa, FL: 95.5
Housing (rents) Charleston, SC: 119.8 Tampa, FL: 125.8
Utilities Charleston, SC: 88.2 Tampa, FL: 88.5
Other services Charleston, SC: 98.3 Tampa, FL: 97.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.0 | 100.9 |
| Goods | 96.3 | 95.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 119.8 | 125.8 |
| Utilities | 88.2 | 88.5 |
| Other services | 98.3 | 97.6 |
| Category | Charleston | Tampa | Tampa vs Charleston |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.0 | 100.9 | −0.1% |
| Goods | 96.3 | 95.5 | −0.9% |
| Housing (rents) | 119.8 | 125.8 | +5.1% |
| Utilities | 88.2 | 88.5 | +0.4% |
| Other services | 98.3 | 97.6 | −0.7% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,037 | $1,991 | −2.3% |
| Typical home value | $437,000 | $357,000 | −18.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Charleston | $75,000 | $74,900 | −0.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Charleston and Tampa has narrowed since 2008: 5.8 points then, 0.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Charleston, SC
- Tampa, FL
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.4 | 103.3 |
| 2009 | 97.3 | 103.3 |
| 2010 | 97.8 | 101.4 |
| 2011 | 99.4 | 100.2 |
| 2012 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| 2013 | 99.6 | 101.2 |
| 2014 | 99.8 | 101.3 |
| 2015 | 100.1 | 100.9 |
| 2016 | 99.7 | 97.1 |
| 2017 | 99.2 | 97.0 |
| 2018 | 98.3 | 95.3 |
| 2019 | 98.2 | 96.5 |
| 2020 | 98.0 | 101.3 |
| 2021 | 99.2 | 98.8 |
| 2022 | 99.1 | 99.9 |
| 2023 | 101.1 | 102.5 |
| 2024 | 101.0 | 100.9 |
Goods
- Charleston, SC
- Tampa, FL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.4 | 102.6 |
| 2009 | 95.2 | 102.3 |
| 2010 | 96.9 | 99.9 |
| 2011 | 96.8 | 99.0 |
| 2012 | 96.8 | 100.4 |
| 2013 | 97.0 | 100.0 |
| 2014 | 97.7 | 99.5 |
| 2015 | 96.4 | 97.6 |
| 2016 | 97.1 | 95.1 |
| 2017 | 97.0 | 95.8 |
| 2018 | 95.3 | 94.6 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 92.4 |
| 2020 | 95.4 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 96.1 | 96.2 |
| 2022 | 94.5 | 97.6 |
| 2023 | 95.9 | 99.0 |
| 2024 | 96.3 | 95.5 |
Housing (rents)
- Charleston, SC
- Tampa, FL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.9 | 111.3 |
| 2009 | 101.5 | 110.7 |
| 2010 | 96.3 | 108.1 |
| 2011 | 102.4 | 105.7 |
| 2012 | 107.2 | 106.6 |
| 2013 | 104.2 | 105.5 |
| 2014 | 104.3 | 105.9 |
| 2015 | 106.7 | 103.8 |
| 2016 | 99.6 | 105.2 |
| 2017 | 102.2 | 107.1 |
| 2018 | 107.6 | 107.2 |
| 2019 | 111.9 | 106.7 |
| 2020 | 112.5 | 115.3 |
| 2021 | 106.1 | 111.3 |
| 2022 | 110.9 | 118.6 |
| 2023 | 123.4 | 123.5 |
| 2024 | 119.8 | 125.8 |
Utilities
- Charleston, SC
- Tampa, FL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.8 | 99.7 |
| 2009 | 88.0 | 101.5 |
| 2010 | 90.4 | 94.4 |
| 2011 | 91.7 | 92.4 |
| 2012 | 93.9 | 90.3 |
| 2013 | 94.1 | 99.6 |
| 2014 | 96.6 | 96.9 |
| 2015 | 96.3 | 92.7 |
| 2016 | 94.7 | 96.2 |
| 2017 | 91.1 | 97.7 |
| 2018 | 91.9 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 94.7 | 101.7 |
| 2020 | 92.3 | 95.5 |
| 2021 | 89.7 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 88.7 | 92.8 |
| 2023 | 85.3 | 95.3 |
| 2024 | 88.2 | 88.5 |
Other services
- Charleston, SC
- Tampa, FL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.5 | 101.1 |
| 2009 | 98.1 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 99.7 | 100.5 |
| 2011 | 101.1 | 99.7 |
| 2012 | 101.0 | 98.8 |
| 2013 | 100.5 | 100.8 |
| 2014 | 100.2 | 101.3 |
| 2015 | 100.8 | 102.7 |
| 2016 | 102.2 | 96.0 |
| 2017 | 100.5 | 94.7 |
| 2018 | 97.9 | 92.3 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 96.0 |
| 2020 | 95.0 | 97.6 |
| 2021 | 99.9 | 97.0 |
| 2022 | 99.4 | 96.3 |
| 2023 | 97.9 | 98.9 |
| 2024 | 98.3 | 97.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,991 in Tampa vs $2,037 in Charleston
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Charleston, SC
- Tampa, FL
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,087 | $1,042 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,098 | $1,066 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,115 | $1,076 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,120 | $1,089 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,138 | $1,101 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,166 | $1,119 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,172 | $1,128 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,166 | $1,137 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,195 | $1,157 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,221 | $1,183 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,225 | $1,185 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,227 | $1,197 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,247 | $1,216 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,260 | $1,244 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,267 | $1,251 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,270 | $1,261 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,292 | $1,275 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,311 | $1,301 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,316 | $1,311 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,320 | $1,315 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,338 | $1,334 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,326 | $1,342 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,352 | $1,382 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,353 | $1,405 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,405 | $1,452 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,472 | $1,561 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,564 | $1,706 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,590 | $1,768 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,624 | $1,813 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,726 | $1,888 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,779 | $1,904 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,769 | $1,895 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,800 | $1,916 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,854 | $1,932 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,874 | $1,945 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,859 | $1,933 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,883 | $1,940 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,916 | $1,948 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,932 | $1,953 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,908 | $1,979 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,926 | $2,003 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,962 | $1,998 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,951 | $1,982 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,946 | $1,964 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,984 | $1,973 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,025 | $1,984 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,037 | $1,991 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $357,000 in Tampa vs $437,000 in Charleston
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Charleston, SC
- Tampa, FL
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $216K | $160K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $221K | $163K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $226K | $167K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $232K | $172K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $236K | $177K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $238K | $181K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $241K | $185K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $245K | $190K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $248K | $194K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $253K | $199K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $257K | $203K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $261K | $208K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $265K | $212K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $267K | $216K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $270K | $220K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $272K | $223K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $274K | $226K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $276K | $228K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $278K | $231K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $280K | $235K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $284K | $241K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $286K | $243K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $291K | $249K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $302K | $259K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $314K | $273K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $331K | $290K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $346K | $308K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $359K | $324K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $380K | $349K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $405K | $379K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $411K | $388K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $409K | $381K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $408K | $375K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $414K | $378K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $423K | $382K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $430K | $385K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $435K | $388K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $441K | $388K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $441K | $384K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $441K | $379K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $443K | $375K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $441K | $367K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $438K | $360K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $438K | $358K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $439K | $359K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $437K | $357K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $437K | $357K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Charleston, SC
- Cost of living in Tampa, FL
- Reverse: moving from Tampa to Charleston
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.