Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Atlanta and Charleston have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Georgia salaries · South Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Atlanta has a housing index of 113 while Charleston sits at 127 (national average = 100). The median home in Atlanta costs $350,000 compared to $380,000 in Charleston, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Atlanta versus $1,600 in Charleston.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Atlanta scores 104 while Charleston scores 102. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Atlanta (101) are lower than Charleston (104). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Atlanta is $59,948 compared to $65,872 in Charleston. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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