City Comparison

Antioch vs Charleston

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Antioch

California
147
Expensive
$610,000
Median Home
$2,250/mo
Median Rent
$97,500
Median Income

Charleston

South Carolina
110
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,872
Median Income

The Verdict

33.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 33.6%, with Charleston being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Antioch has equivalent purchasing power to $56,122 in Charleston.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
193
Antioch
127
Charleston
Groceries
107
Antioch
102
Charleston
Utilities
156
Antioch
99
Charleston
Transportation
140
Antioch
98
Charleston
Healthcare
122
Antioch
104
Charleston

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Antioch has the same purchasing power as $56,122 in Charleston.

Conversely, $75,000 in Charleston equals $100,227 in Antioch.

Living in Antioch vs Charleston

Housing Costs

Antioch's housing index of 193 is higher Charleston's 127, translating to median home prices of $610,000 vs $380,000. The $230,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,952 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,250/mo in Antioch compared to $1,600/mo in Charleston, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Antioch and 102 in Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Antioch vs $485/month in Charleston. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 156 in Antioch and 99 in Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $624 in Antioch vs $396 in Charleston. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Antioch and 104 in Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $97,500 in Antioch and $65,872 in Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,327 and $59,884 respectively. Antioch residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,275/month to housing in Antioch vs $1,537/month in Charleston. In Antioch, median rent of $2,250/mo fits within this budget. In Charleston, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Charleston is 33.6% more affordable overall with an index of 110 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Antioch has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,122 in Charleston, based on the cost of living difference.
Antioch's housing index is 193 with median homes at $610,000, while Charleston's is 127 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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