Charleston vs Hollywood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Hollywood
The Verdict
Living in Charleston costs 23.4% less than Hollywood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $97,941 in Hollywood.
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 $97,941 in Hollywood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hollywood equals $57,432 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Hollywood
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 62 is lower Hollywood's 130, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $424,000. The $289,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Charleston compared to $1,725/mo in Hollywood, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Charleston and 104 in Hollywood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Charleston vs $494/month in Hollywood. Charleston offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Charleston and 96 in Hollywood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Charleston vs $384 in Hollywood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Charleston and 96 in Hollywood. 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 $60,300 in Hollywood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,452 and $54,324 respectively. Hollywood 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 $1,407/month in Hollywood. In Charleston, median rent of $850/mo fits within this budget. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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