Charleston vs Rancho Cucamonga: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Charleston, South Carolina compare to Rancho Cucamonga, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Charleston is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 33% lower in Charleston compared to Rancho Cucamonga, while rent is 31% lower. State income tax is 6.4% in SC vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $438,900 | $657,400 | -33.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,517 | $2,184 | -30.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $83,891 | $105,534 | -20.5% |
| Per Capita Income | $55,890 | $44,345 | +26.0% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 6.4% | 13.3% | -51.9% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.4% | 8.7% | -14.3% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 149,960 | 174,696 | -14.2% |
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 — Rancho Cucamonga
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 $657,400 in Rancho Cucamonga — a 33% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,517/mo in Charleston vs $2,184/mo in Rancho Cucamonga.
- Income: Median household income is $83,891 in Charleston and $105,534 in Rancho Cucamonga.
- Taxes: State income tax is 6.4% in South Carolina vs 13.3% in California.
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).