Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Charleston and Gilbert 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 · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Charleston has a housing index of 127 while Gilbert sits at 128 (national average = 100). The median home in Charleston costs $380,000 compared to $470,000 in Gilbert, a difference of $90,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Charleston versus $1,700 in Gilbert.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Charleston scores 102 while Gilbert scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charleston (104) are higher than Gilbert (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Charleston is $65,872 compared to $94,518 in Gilbert. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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