CostIndexUSA

Chandler, AZ vs Charleston, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Chandler
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Charleston
101
overall index
$1,950/mo rent

Charleston is slightly cheaper than Chandler — 2.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chandler, you would need $78,200 in Charleston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing1.2%
Chandler
121.2
Charleston
119.8
🛒 Groceries+1.4%
Chandler
95
Charleston
96.3
🚗 Transportation5.5%
Chandler
109.2
Charleston
103.2
🏥 Healthcare5.5%
Chandler
98.8
Charleston
93.4
Utilities5.5%
Chandler
93.3
Charleston
88.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chandler to see what you'd need to earn in Charleston to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Charleston, SC
$78,200
$1,800 less needed in Charleston

Formula: salary × (101 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.9777. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chandler, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Charleston, SC

Median Home Price
$425,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,950
Housing Index
119.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Chandler has 1.2% lower housing costs compared to Charleston.

Income & Job Market

Chandler, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
261,165
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Charleston, SC

Median Household Income
$85,200
Per Capita Income
$48,600
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
150,227
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareTechnologyManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chandler, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Charleston, SC
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.