Charleston vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Meridian
The Verdict
Living in Charleston costs 29.2% less than Meridian. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $105,882 in Meridian.
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 $105,882 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $53,125 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 62 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $509,000. The $374,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,312 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Charleston compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Charleston and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Charleston vs $494/month in Meridian. 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 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Charleston vs $344 in Meridian. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Charleston and 103 in Meridian. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $42,034 in Charleston and $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,452 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian 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 $2,326/month in Meridian. In Charleston, median rent of $850/mo fits within this budget. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 92 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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