Cost of Living: Tempe vs Charleston (2026)
Charleston has a 6% lower overall cost of living than Tempe as of Q1 2026. A one-bedroom apartment runs $1,600/mo in Tempe vs $1,900/mo in Charleston — a 16% difference. Tempe has a lower state income tax rate (2.5% vs 6.2%), which adds up over time.
- Charleston is 6% cheaper overall (COL index: 103 vs 97)
- 1BR rent: $1,600/mo in Tempe vs $1,900/mo — 16% savings
- Higher median household income: Charleston ($68,000/yr vs $68,000/yr)
- Median home price: $430,000 in Charleston vs $430,000 — 0% difference
| Category | Tempe Arizona | Charleston South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,250Best | $1,500 |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,600Best | $1,900 |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,100Best | $2,500 |
| Median home price | $430KBest | $430K |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 100 | 99Best |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Best | $14 |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58Best | $58 |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $55Best | $55 |
| Gas price/gal | $3.20Best | $3.20 |
| Car insurance/mo | $158 | $152Best |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $210 | $162Best |
| Internet/mo | $62Best | $63 |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||
| Median household income/yr | $68KBest | $68K |
| State income tax% | 2.5%Best | 6.2% |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.6% | 7.5%Best |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Best | $15.00 |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Best | $40 |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Best | $6.50 |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 103 | 97Best |
| Walk score / 100 | 46 | 48Best |
Frequently asked questions
Is Tempe cheaper than Charleston?
No. Charleston is 6% cheaper than Tempe based on overall cost of living indices (97 vs 103, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Tempe vs Charleston?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Tempe is $1,600/month and in Charleston is $1,900/month. Tempe is cheaper by 16%.
How much do I need to earn in Charleston to match a $75,000 salary in Tempe?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $70,631/year in Charleston to match a $75,000 salary in Tempe. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Tempe or Charleston?
Tempe has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 6.2%. The difference is 3.7 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Tempe to Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Charleston offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
Want to add more cities or compare your own salary?
Use our interactive tool to compare up to 5 cities and see how much of your take-home goes to rent.