Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
38% cheaper
Charleston is 38% more affordable than Cambridge. A $75,000 salary in Cambridge is equivalent to $46,348 in Charleston.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · South Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cambridge has a housing index of 280 while Charleston sits at 127 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $380,000 in Charleston, a difference of $510,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $1,600 in Charleston.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Cambridge scores 110 while Charleston scores 102.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than Charleston (104).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $65,872 in Charleston. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Charleston.
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