Charleston vs Columbus
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Columbus
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 9.0%, with Columbus being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Charleston has equivalent purchasing power to $68,824 in Columbus.
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 $68,824 in Columbus.
Conversely, $75,000 in Columbus equals $81,731 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Columbus
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 62 is higher Columbus's 57, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $222,000. The $87,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,652 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Charleston compared to $1,050/mo in Columbus, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Charleston and 97 in Columbus. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Charleston vs $461/month in Columbus. 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 92 in Charleston and 86 in Columbus. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Charleston vs $344 in Columbus. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Charleston and 85 in Columbus. 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 $42,034 in Charleston and $58,100 in Columbus. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,452 and $74,487 respectively. Columbus residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $981/month to housing in Charleston vs $1,356/month in Columbus. In Charleston, median rent of $850/mo fits within this budget. In Columbus, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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