2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Pismo Beach, CA vs Charleston, SC

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or is it cheaper to live in Pismo Beach?
- Charleston is 23.3% less expensive than Pismo Beach.

Which city has more affordable housing, Charleston or Pismo Beach?
- Charleston housing costs are 62.5% less expensive than Pismo Beach housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Pismo Beach or is Health Care more affordable in Charleston.
- Health related expenses are 11.4% less in Charleston.
 Pismo Beach, CACharleston, SCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock112.0100
 Food & Groceries111.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock96.5100
 Housing353.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$493,200$338,100
 Utilities86  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock94.1100
 Miscellaneous144.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Pismo Beach    4 Reviews

It's a nice town to visit - although very touristy. Clean air - and nice sand dunes nearby. A variety of housing - but expensive. Good for seafood. I would say  More

   |    Reply

It's still challenging to find a good job: Diablo Canyon Nuclear plant has announced it will be closing in 9 years, so many 6-figure incomes will be going along with the  More

   |    Reply

Over 9 years ago

Because of fires allowed in campsites each and everyday it is very smokey and hard to  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Pismo Beach

Reviews for Charleston    76 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

Charleston is beautiful and unique and incredibly special. If you don't believe me, just ask Anthony Bourdain in his Parts Unknown episode - and he was an insightful  More

   |    Reply

Serious lack of health care and "good old boys club" whereby doctors will not even see the patient but diagnose them based on referring doctor. My sister died there for  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Boy, has this once beautiful town changed...for the worse! I initially moved here 20 years ago because the people were so nice, no traffic, great choice of hospitals,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Charleston


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.