Charleston vs Des Moines: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Charleston, South Carolina compare to Des Moines, Iowa? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Des Moines is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 157% higher in Charleston compared to Des Moines, while rent is 52% higher. State income tax is 6.4% in SC vs 5.7% in IA.
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Des Moines, IA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $438,900 | $170,700 | +157.1% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,517 | $995 | +52.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $83,891 | $62,378 | +34.5% |
| Per Capita Income | $55,890 | $34,347 | +62.7% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 6.4% | 5.7% | +12.3% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.4% | 6.9% | +7.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 149,960 | 213,164 | -29.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Charleston
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Des Moines
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Charleston costs $438,900 compared to $170,700 in Des Moines — a 157% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,517/mo in Charleston vs $995/mo in Des Moines.
- Income: Median household income is $83,891 in Charleston and $62,378 in Des Moines.
- Taxes: State income tax is 6.4% in South Carolina vs 5.7% in Iowa.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).