Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Charleston and Reno 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 · Nevada salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Charleston has a housing index of 127 while Reno sits at 133 (national average = 100). The median home in Charleston costs $380,000 compared to $450,000 in Reno, a difference of $70,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Charleston versus $1,600 in Reno.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Charleston scores 102 while Reno scores 102. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charleston (104) are higher than Reno (96). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Charleston is $65,872 compared to $61,648 in Reno. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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