Cost of Living in Charleston SC: 10 Surprises Before You Move (2026)

FREE Charleston Relocation Guide (every number from this video): https://findhomessc.com/moving-to-cha... Read the full breakdown: https://findhomessc.com/cost-of-livin... Thinking about moving to Charleston, SC? Here are the 10 cost of living questions people ask me most, compared to the national average: income tax, summer heat, kids, rent, property taxes, daycare, homeowners insurance, home prices, mortgage payments, and how much you need to make. The biggest takeaway? The county you buy in can swing your monthly budget by more than 1,500 dollars. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ 🤔 Thinking of Moving to Charleston, SC? 📱 Call or Text: 843-966-9837 📨 Email: brett@treatrealty.com 📅 Schedule a Call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/brett-kelle... ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ 🏡 Free Buyer's Guide: https://findhomessc.com/buyers/ 🧮 Rent vs. Buy Calculator: https://findhomessc.com/buyers/rent-v... 🔎 VIP Home Search: https://findhomessc.com/vip-home-search/ 👉 Buying a home? Start here: https://findhomessc.com/contact/buyin... 👉 Selling your home? Start here: https://findhomessc.com/contact/selli... 📰 Weekly Charleston Market Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/weekly-treat New here? Subscribe for everything about living in Charleston SC. ▶ Subscribe:    / @treatsellshomes   QUICK ANSWERS (Fall 2026) ▸ How much do you need to make to live in Charleston SC? About 97,000 dollars a year for two working parents with one child in Charleston County (MIT Living Wage). Median household income is about 90,000. ▸ What is the average home price in Charleston SC? August 2026 medians: Charleston County 662,000 dollars, Berkeley 410,000, Dorchester 385,000. National: 429,000. ▸ How much is homeowners insurance in Charleston? About 5,700 dollars a year on 400,000 of coverage, 2.3 times the national average. Flood is separate. ▸ How much are property taxes in Charleston? About 0.32 percent in Charleston County, 0.42 in Berkeley, 0.54 in Dorchester vs. 0.9 nationally. The 4 percent primary residence rate is not automatic; apply with your county. ▸ What is the South Carolina income tax rate for 2026? 1.99 percent under 30,000 dollars and 5.21 percent minus 966 dollars above that, roughly 4 percent overall on 90,000. ▸ Is a 2-1 buydown worth it right now? For most buyers, probably not. A seller credit used for a permanent buydown can lower a payment about 300 to 350 dollars a month for the life of the loan. 00:00 Watch this before you move to Charleston SC 01:09 Who I am and why these costs are personal 01:53 How the list works (Charleston is 3 counties) 02:40 No. 10: South Carolina income tax rate 2026 03:16 No. 9: How hot is Charleston in the summer? 04:05 No. 8: Things to do with kids on rainy or 100 degree days 05:31 No. 7: Average rent in Charleston SC 06:06 No. 6: Charleston property taxes (the 4 percent rule) 07:14 Halftime score + free relocation guide 07:40 No. 5: Daycare costs and waitlists 08:59 No. 4: Homeowners insurance in Charleston 10:11 No. 3: Average home price by county 10:51 No. 2: Real mortgage payment on a Charleston home 12:05 No. 1: How much do you need to make to live in Charleston? 14:06 Bonus: Is a 2-1 buydown worth it? 15:12 Permanent rate buydown with a seller credit 16:17 Free consultation offer 17:17 Final score: Charleston vs. national average WATCH NEXT ▶ Top 7 Suburbs To Live In Charleston SC:    • Top 7 Suburbs To Live In Charleston SC Acc...   ▶ Real Commute Times to All 10 Charleston Suburbs:    • Moving to Charleston SC 2026: Real Commute...   ▶ Why Your Charleston Home Insurance Just Doubled:    • Why Your Charleston Home Insurance Just Do...   ▶ How to Buy a Home in Charleston SC 2026:    • How to Buy a Home in Charleston SC 2026 | ...   ▶ Should You Keep Your 3 Percent Mortgage Rate?:    • Should You Keep Your 3% Mortgage Rate? Cha...   Sources: MIT Living Wage, Census ACS, NAR, TREAT Flex MLS, Freddie Mac, MBA, NerdWallet, ATTOM, SmartAsset, SCDOR, Child Care Aware, Apartment List, NWS, Post and Courier. All stats, data, house pricing, and anything else mentioned is always subject to change and is provided merely as an example at the time of this recording. Mortgage examples are illustrative, not a commitment to lend. Not financial, tax, or insurance advice. Brett Kelley | Team Leader, The TREAT Team | Charleston SC Real Estate Agent | SC License #96167 | Brokered by SCSOLD, LLC FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make a commission on sales you make through my link. This is at no extra cost to you to use my links, it's just one more way to support me and my channel! Equal Housing Opportunity. SCSOLD, LLC is a licensed South Carolina real estate brokerage. #LivingInCharlestonSC #MovingToCharlestonSC #CharlestonCostOfLiving #CharlestonSCRealEstate #TREATsellshomes #TheTREATTeam