Charleston vs Montgomery

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 $53,864 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $104,430 in Charleston.

Living in Charleston vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Charleston's housing index of 127 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $162,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Charleston compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Charleston and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Charleston vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Charleston vs $460 in Montgomery. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Charleston and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $65,872 in Charleston and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,884 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Charleston, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 78 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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