💰Charleston Ranked as #20 Most Expensive City + More Hidden Gems

A cost of living ranking circulating on social media has sparked plenty of debate, placing Charleston at #20 among the most expensive cities in the world. That naturally raises questions. The ranking comes from Numbeo, which relies on crowd-sourced data where users submit prices for things like housing, groceries, and dining, then aggregates those inputs into an index. While useful, that approach leaves room to question accuracy.

I took a look at economic data from FRED, which shows Charleston as slightly above the national average for cost of living. Even that may not fully capture the reality, and the truth is there’s probably no foolproof way to measure cost of living across cities. So what do you think? Vote in the poll and see how other readers rank Charleston compared to the rest of the country.

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Coffee and Conversation (More Info) · 10-11am · Charleston County Library, Mount Pleasant · FREE · Meet other seniors and learn about what's happening at Mount Pleasant Library while you enjoy good coffee, good conversation and a breakfast treat.

Block Printing at the Aquarium (More Info) · 6-8pm · South Carolina Aquarium, Downtown · $35 · Learn how to carve your own design and test out your printmaking skills, then take your carving block home with you to continue this artistic outlet.

Best of Charleston Comedy (More Info) · 8pm · Wits End Comedy Club, North Charleston · $17 · From up-and-coming rising stars to seasoned local legends, this is your chance to see the funniest talent in the Lowcountry showing off their tightest sets.

Daniel Island Needleworkers (More Info) · 11am-1:30pm · Daniel Island Library · FREE · Bring your quilt, appliqué, embroidery, or any portable needle project and stay for a while to sew, make new friends, and chat.

Sourdough Workshop (More Info) · 6-8pm · Two Blokes Brewery, Mt Pleasant · $75 · An evening where you will learn about gut-healthy sourdough and the relationship between Functional Food (food on purpose) and how to make sourdough bread.

Sip, Savor, and Learn: Old World Red at Mercantile (More Info) · Mercantile and Mash, Downtown · $39 · Mingle with fellow wine lovers while enjoying family-style bites and learning about each pour.

New Year, New Realm Candle Pouring (More Info) · 6-8pm · New Realm Brewing Co., Daniel Island · $66 · create your own luxury candle and sip your favorite drinks.

Porch Goose Painting & Sip Class (More Info) · 6-8pm · The Creek Collective, Goose Creek · $70 for residents, $75 for non-residents · beginner-friendly painting class where you'll learn how to paint your own porch goose.

Girl’s Girls Comedy Hour (More Info) · 8pm · Theatre 99, Downtown · $15 · A fashion inspired comedy show brought to you by Jessie Jolles and Lauren Hope Krass.

Jack Daniel's Presents: LIVE at The Burgundy Lounge (More Info) · 7pm-12am · Starlight Motor Inn, North Charleston · FREE · Experience the best of Charleston’s live music scene in the intimate, moody atmosphere of The Burgundy Lounge.

🏢 South Carolina lawmakers are building bipartisan support for new rules on data centers as their rapid growth puts pressure on energy and water systems. The proposal would require operators to pay more of their own infrastructure costs and increase transparency around resource use (City Paper). Why this matters: Data centers are growing fast, and these rules are meant to keep infrastructure costs from landing on local communities and ratepayers.

🦐 The bronze shrimp taken from the Wayne Magwood fisherman’s memorial statue over Shem Creek have been returned and will be reattached more securely. The family says it was an emotional moment to see the statue made whole again. It’s a small but meaningful win for preserving a local landmark that honors Charleston’s fishing history.

🚲Charleston County officials are discussing how to allocate future transportation sales tax revenue, with proposals that could direct about $850 million toward land preservation through the Greenbelt Fund, roughly tripling previous support for greenspace. How these funds are distributed will shape traffic, mobility, and open space preservation across the Lowcountry for years to come (The Post and Courier).

👨‍🍳 A Charleston chef has been named a 2026 South Carolina Chef Ambassador, a program that spotlights culinary leaders who showcase the state’s food culture and local ingredients at events across the region. The role highlights Charleston’s continued influence on South Carolina’s dining scene (abcnews4).

This was one of our most popular segments a few editions ago, so we’re bringing it back with a fresh lineup of Charleston gems that locals know and love. Below are some of the best restaurants and shops where you can still get exceptional value for your money.

🖼️ Mount Pleasant Mall is Charleston’s largest co-op, filled with antiques, original art, and unique locally made pieces. Because you’re buying directly from individual vendors, prices are often negotiable, which makes it one of the best places to score high-quality items at very reasonable prices if you’re willing to browse. It’s located at 708 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mt Pleasant. You can find a preview of their items on their Instagram page.

🐟 Dave’s Carry-Out (menu) is a longtime Charleston favorite serving no-frills soul food and fried seafood at prices that still feel like a steal. Known for generous portions of shrimp, fish, scallops, and classic sides, it’s the kind of place locals swear by for a quick, satisfying meal. The food is simple, flavorful, and consistently good, which is why it’s been busy for decades. You’ll find it at 114 Morris Street, Charleston.

🍗 Bertha’s Kitchen (website) is a true Charleston institution and one of the best places in the city for classic Lowcountry comfort food. This family-run spot has been serving hearty plates like fried chicken, lima beans, mac and cheese, and cornbread for decades, all at prices that still feel like a steal. Portions are generous, the food is deeply comforting, and it’s a place locals quietly swear by. You’ll find it at 2332 Meeting Street Road, North Charleston.

That’s all for this edition. Thanks for spending a few minutes here, and as always, support local when you can. Have a great week, Charleston.

Be sure to check out the weekend issue this coming Friday morning!

- The All Things Charleston Team