Charleston vs Orem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Orem
The Verdict
Living in Charleston costs 27.4% less than Orem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $103,235 in Orem.
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 $103,235 in Orem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Orem equals $54,487 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Orem
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 62 is lower Orem's 147, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $528,000. The $393,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Charleston compared to $1,400/mo in Orem, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Charleston and 98 in Orem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Charleston vs $466/month in Orem. 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 92 in Orem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Charleston vs $368 in Orem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Charleston and 95 in Orem. 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 $86,000 in Orem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,452 and $73,504 respectively. Orem 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 $2,007/month in Orem. In Charleston, median rent of $850/mo fits within this budget. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 85 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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