Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Charleston and Fresno have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: South Carolina salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Charleston has a housing index of 127 while Fresno sits at 111 (national average = 100). The median home in Charleston costs $380,000 compared to $330,000 in Fresno, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Charleston versus $1,300 in Fresno.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Charleston scores 102 while Fresno scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charleston (104) are higher than Fresno (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Charleston is $65,872 compared to $53,838 in Fresno. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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