Can I Afford to Live in Charleston vs Lima on $50K?

Here's how a $50K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Charleston, SC
$2,902/mo take-home
Rent: $1,900/mo (65% of take-home)
Difficult
Lima, PE
$3,160/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (16% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Charleston
SC
Lima
PE
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,902
$3,160Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,900
$500Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$376Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$55Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$162
$55Best ✓
Internet
$63
$25Best ✓
Left after essentials
$346/month
$2,050/month
Lima (Lima Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Charleston (SC rate: 6.2%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $50K a good salary in Charleston?

At $50K/year in Charleston, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,902. With 1BR rent around $1,900/month, rent takes up 65% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $50K a good salary in Lima?

At $50K/year in Lima, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,160. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 16% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $50K salary?

Lima leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,050/month vs $346/month in Charleston.

Can I afford to live alone in Charleston on $50K?

It's tight. Rent in Charleston would take 65% of your $50K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Charleston vs Lima

$40K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only