SC has one of the best and cheapest ‘foodie’ cities in the US, new ranking shows. Here’s why

Charleston is one of the best places for foodies in the U.S., a new report shows.

Charleston was ranked 19th out of the top 20 cities for foodies — people who love gourmet dining — according to WalletHub, a personal finance website.

Gourmet dining has never been a cheap activity, however, it’s risen in cost over the past year because of heavy inflation. Restaurant prices rose 8% in August, year over year, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show. Cooking your own gourmet meals isn’t a much better option, with grocery store prices having risen 8.3% over the same period.

To help the nation’s cash-strapped foodies, WalletHub compiled a report of the best cities that cater to diners who want to find local flavors, prefer to cook at home or both. Charleston earned its final rank in part by 29th best in affordability and being 27th best in diversity, accessibility and quality.

Of the more than 180 total U.S. cities reviewed for the report, Columbia was the only other South Carolina city considered, ranking as 108th best for foodies.

WalletHub determined the cities with the best and cheapest foodie scenes by comparing more the 180 U.S. cities across 29 key indicators. The report’s data set ranges from cost of groceries to affordability and accessibility of high-quality restaurants and food festivals per capita. Data was used from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Council for Community and Economic Research, County Health Rankings, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Yelp and other sources to compile the report.

Here are the top 20 best cities for foodies, according to WalletHub.

1. Portland, Oregon

2. Orlando, Florida

3. Miami, Florida

4. San Francisco, California

5. Austin, Texas

6. Sacramento, California

7. Seattle, Washington

8. Tampa, Florida

9. Las Vegas, Nevada

10. San Diego, California

11. Denver, Colorado

12. Chicago, Illinois

13. Washington, DC

14. Atlanta, Georgia

15. Los Angeles, California

16. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

17. Portland, Maine

18. New York, New York

19. Charleston, South Carolina

20. Oakland, California