Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Charleston and Modesto 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 Modesto sits at 121 (national average = 100). The median home in Charleston costs $380,000 compared to $380,000 in Modesto, a difference of $0. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Charleston versus $1,400 in Modesto.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Charleston scores 102 while Modesto scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charleston (104) are higher than Modesto (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Charleston is $65,872 compared to $55,138 in Modesto. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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