Charleston vs Franklin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Franklin
The Verdict
Living in Charleston costs 38.8% less than Franklin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $122,647 in Franklin.
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 $122,647 in Franklin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $45,863 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Franklin
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 62 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $750,000. The $615,000 difference in home prices means roughly $39,972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Charleston compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $1,000.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Charleston and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Charleston vs $475/month in Franklin. 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 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Charleston vs $388 in Franklin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Charleston and 91 in Franklin. 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 $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,452 and $85,036 respectively. Franklin 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 $2,758/month in Franklin. In Charleston, median rent of $850/mo fits within this budget. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 168 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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