Tampa, FL vs Charleston, SC: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Charleston, SC and Tampa, FL are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Tampa works out to about $75,100 in Charleston, before taxes.
- Housing is 4.8% lower in Charleston, goods 0.9% higher and other services 0.7% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $2,037 a month in Charleston and $1,991 in Tampa, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $437,000 in Charleston and $357,000 in Tampa.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Charleston was 1.8% more expensive than Tampa.
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 Tampa and Charleston
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Tampa, FL
- Charleston, SC
All items Tampa, FL: 100.9 Charleston, SC: 101.0
Goods Tampa, FL: 95.5 Charleston, SC: 96.3
Housing (rents) Tampa, FL: 125.8 Charleston, SC: 119.8
Utilities Tampa, FL: 88.5 Charleston, SC: 88.2
Other services Tampa, FL: 97.6 Charleston, SC: 98.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tampa, FL | Charleston, SC | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.9 | 101.0 |
| Goods | 95.5 | 96.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 125.8 | 119.8 |
| Utilities | 88.5 | 88.2 |
| Other services | 97.6 | 98.3 |
| Category | Tampa | Charleston | Charleston vs Tampa |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.9 | 101.0 | +0.1% |
| Goods | 95.5 | 96.3 | +0.9% |
| Housing (rents) | 125.8 | 119.8 | −4.8% |
| Utilities | 88.5 | 88.2 | −0.4% |
| Other services | 97.6 | 98.3 | +0.7% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,991 | $2,037 | +2.3% |
| Typical home value | $357,000 | $437,000 | +22.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Tampa | $75,000 | $75,100 | +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 Tampa and Charleston has narrowed since 2008: 5.8 points then, 0.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Tampa, FL
- Charleston, SC
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tampa, FL | Charleston, SC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 103.3 | 97.4 |
| 2009 | 103.3 | 97.3 |
| 2010 | 101.4 | 97.8 |
| 2011 | 100.2 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| 2013 | 101.2 | 99.6 |
| 2014 | 101.3 | 99.8 |
| 2015 | 100.9 | 100.1 |
| 2016 | 97.1 | 99.7 |
| 2017 | 97.0 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 95.3 | 98.3 |
| 2019 | 96.5 | 98.2 |
| 2020 | 101.3 | 98.0 |
| 2021 | 98.8 | 99.2 |
| 2022 | 99.9 | 99.1 |
| 2023 | 102.5 | 101.1 |
| 2024 | 100.9 | 101.0 |
Goods
- Tampa, FL
- Charleston, SC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tampa, FL | Charleston, SC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.6 | 97.4 |
| 2009 | 102.3 | 95.2 |
| 2010 | 99.9 | 96.9 |
| 2011 | 99.0 | 96.8 |
| 2012 | 100.4 | 96.8 |
| 2013 | 100.0 | 97.0 |
| 2014 | 99.5 | 97.7 |
| 2015 | 97.6 | 96.4 |
| 2016 | 95.1 | 97.1 |
| 2017 | 95.8 | 97.0 |
| 2018 | 94.6 | 95.3 |
| 2019 | 92.4 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 95.4 |
| 2021 | 96.2 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 97.6 | 94.5 |
| 2023 | 99.0 | 95.9 |
| 2024 | 95.5 | 96.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Tampa, FL
- Charleston, SC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tampa, FL | Charleston, SC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 111.3 | 96.9 |
| 2009 | 110.7 | 101.5 |
| 2010 | 108.1 | 96.3 |
| 2011 | 105.7 | 102.4 |
| 2012 | 106.6 | 107.2 |
| 2013 | 105.5 | 104.2 |
| 2014 | 105.9 | 104.3 |
| 2015 | 103.8 | 106.7 |
| 2016 | 105.2 | 99.6 |
| 2017 | 107.1 | 102.2 |
| 2018 | 107.2 | 107.6 |
| 2019 | 106.7 | 111.9 |
| 2020 | 115.3 | 112.5 |
| 2021 | 111.3 | 106.1 |
| 2022 | 118.6 | 110.9 |
| 2023 | 123.5 | 123.4 |
| 2024 | 125.8 | 119.8 |
Utilities
- Tampa, FL
- Charleston, SC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tampa, FL | Charleston, SC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.7 | 86.8 |
| 2009 | 101.5 | 88.0 |
| 2010 | 94.4 | 90.4 |
| 2011 | 92.4 | 91.7 |
| 2012 | 90.3 | 93.9 |
| 2013 | 99.6 | 94.1 |
| 2014 | 96.9 | 96.6 |
| 2015 | 92.7 | 96.3 |
| 2016 | 96.2 | 94.7 |
| 2017 | 97.7 | 91.1 |
| 2018 | 98.0 | 91.9 |
| 2019 | 101.7 | 94.7 |
| 2020 | 95.5 | 92.3 |
| 2021 | 96.1 | 89.7 |
| 2022 | 92.8 | 88.7 |
| 2023 | 95.3 | 85.3 |
| 2024 | 88.5 | 88.2 |
Other services
- Tampa, FL
- Charleston, SC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tampa, FL | Charleston, SC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.1 | 98.5 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 98.1 |
| 2010 | 100.5 | 99.7 |
| 2011 | 99.7 | 101.1 |
| 2012 | 98.8 | 101.0 |
| 2013 | 100.8 | 100.5 |
| 2014 | 101.3 | 100.2 |
| 2015 | 102.7 | 100.8 |
| 2016 | 96.0 | 102.2 |
| 2017 | 94.7 | 100.5 |
| 2018 | 92.3 | 97.9 |
| 2019 | 96.0 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 97.6 | 95.0 |
| 2021 | 97.0 | 99.9 |
| 2022 | 96.3 | 99.4 |
| 2023 | 98.9 | 97.9 |
| 2024 | 97.6 | 98.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,037 in Charleston vs $1,991 in Tampa
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Tampa, FL
- Charleston, SC
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Tampa, FL | Charleston, SC | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,042 | $1,087 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,066 | $1,098 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,076 | $1,115 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,089 | $1,120 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,101 | $1,138 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,119 | $1,166 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,128 | $1,172 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,137 | $1,166 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,157 | $1,195 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,183 | $1,221 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,185 | $1,225 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,197 | $1,227 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,216 | $1,247 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,244 | $1,260 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,251 | $1,267 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,261 | $1,270 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,275 | $1,292 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,301 | $1,311 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,311 | $1,316 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,315 | $1,320 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,334 | $1,338 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,342 | $1,326 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,382 | $1,352 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,405 | $1,353 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,452 | $1,405 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,561 | $1,472 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,706 | $1,564 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,768 | $1,590 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,813 | $1,624 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,888 | $1,726 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,904 | $1,779 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,895 | $1,769 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,916 | $1,800 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,932 | $1,854 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,945 | $1,874 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,933 | $1,859 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,940 | $1,883 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,948 | $1,916 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,953 | $1,932 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,979 | $1,908 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,003 | $1,926 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,998 | $1,962 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,982 | $1,951 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,964 | $1,946 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,973 | $1,984 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,984 | $2,025 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,991 | $2,037 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $437,000 in Charleston vs $357,000 in Tampa
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Tampa, FL
- Charleston, SC
- 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
| Tampa, FL | Charleston, SC | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $160K | $216K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $163K | $221K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $167K | $226K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $172K | $232K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $177K | $236K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $181K | $238K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $185K | $241K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $190K | $245K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $194K | $248K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $199K | $253K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $203K | $257K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $208K | $261K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $212K | $265K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $216K | $267K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $220K | $270K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $223K | $272K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $226K | $274K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $228K | $276K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $231K | $278K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $235K | $280K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $241K | $284K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $243K | $286K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $249K | $291K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $259K | $302K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $273K | $314K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $290K | $331K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $308K | $346K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $324K | $359K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $349K | $380K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $379K | $405K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $388K | $411K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $381K | $409K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $375K | $408K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $378K | $414K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $382K | $423K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $385K | $430K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $388K | $435K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $388K | $441K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $384K | $441K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $379K | $441K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $375K | $443K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $367K | $441K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $360K | $438K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $358K | $438K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $359K | $439K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $357K | $437K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $357K | $437K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Tampa, FL
- Cost of living in Charleston, SC
- Reverse: moving from Charleston to Tampa
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.