Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
9% cheaper
Phoenix is 9% more affordable than Charleston. A $75,000 salary in Charleston is equivalent to $68,182 in Phoenix.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: South Carolina salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Charleston has a housing index of 127 while Phoenix sits at 102 (national average = 100). The median home in Charleston costs $380,000 compared to $350,000 in Phoenix, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Charleston versus $1,400 in Phoenix.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Charleston scores 102 while Phoenix scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charleston (104) are higher than Phoenix (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Charleston is $65,872 compared to $57,459 in Phoenix. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Phoenix.
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