Charleston vs Roswell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Roswell
The Verdict
Living in Charleston costs 24.8% less than Roswell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $99,706 in Roswell.
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 $99,706 in Roswell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $56,416 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Roswell
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 62 is lower Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $647,000. The $512,000 difference in home prices means roughly $33,276 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Charleston compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Charleston and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Charleston vs $480/month in Roswell. 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 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Charleston vs $392 in Roswell. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Charleston and 103 in Roswell. 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 $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,452 and $96,283 respectively. Roswell 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 $2,539/month in Roswell. In Charleston, median rent of $850/mo fits within this budget. In Roswell, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 125 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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