Charleston vs Tyler
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Tyler
The Verdict
Living in Tyler costs 29.4% less than Charleston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $57,955 in Tyler.
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 $57,955 in Tyler.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $97,059 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Tyler
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 127 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $250,000. The $130,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,448 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 Tyler, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Charleston and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Charleston vs $456/month in Tyler. Tyler offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Charleston and 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Charleston vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Charleston and 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,884 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Charleston, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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