Cost of Living: Alexandria, VA vs Charleston, SC (2026)

Alexandria

Virginia
173
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

Alexandria is 45% more expensive than Charleston.

$2,031/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↓ 20%
$113,638/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↓ 21%
$696,800 ↑ 49%
Home Value
$469,100 ↓ 33%
$2,173/mo ↑ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↓ 22%
156,788
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
6.4%
5.3%
Sales Tax
6.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Alexandria, VA and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 173 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $399/month cheaper in Charleston, saving renters about $4,788/year.

Median household income is $23,600/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Alexandria is $696,800 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Alexandria slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alexandria vs Charleston — common questions

Is Alexandria or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Charleston is cheaper to live in with an index of 128 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Alexandria and Charleston?
Median rent in Alexandria is $2,031/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $399/month.
Which city has higher income, Alexandria or Charleston?
Median household income is $113,638 in Alexandria and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $23,600/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and South Carolina?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Alexandria or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with median rent of $2,031/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Alexandria details → View Charleston details →