Arlington vs Charleston
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Charleston
The Verdict
Living in Charleston costs 92.9% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $38,872 in Charleston.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $38,872 in Charleston.
Conversely, $75,000 in Charleston equals $144,706 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Charleston
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Charleston's 62, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $135,000. The $605,000 difference in home prices means roughly $39,324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $850/mo in Charleston, a monthly difference of $1,500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 97 in Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $461/month in Charleston. Charleston offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 92 in Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $368 in Charleston. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 91 in Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $42,034 in Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $49,452 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $981/month in Charleston. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Charleston, median rent of $850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 187 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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