Charleston vs Lincoln
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Lincoln
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.3%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Charleston has equivalent purchasing power to $63,409 in Lincoln.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Charleston has the same purchasing power as $63,409 in Lincoln.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $88,710 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Lincoln
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 127 is higher Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $264,000. The $116,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,536 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Charleston compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Charleston and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Charleston vs $466/month in Lincoln. 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 99 in Charleston and 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Charleston vs $372 in Lincoln. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Charleston and 102 in Lincoln. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $65,872 in Charleston and $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,884 and $77,312 respectively. Lincoln residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,537/month to housing in Charleston vs $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Charleston, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases