CostIndexUSA

Charleston, SC vs Midland, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

SC
Charleston
101
overall index
$1,950/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Midland is moderately cheaper than Charleston — 5.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $75,900 in Midland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing15.3%
Charleston
119.8
Midland
101.5
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Charleston
96.3
Midland
93.8
🚗 Transportation2.0%
Charleston
103.2
Midland
101.1
🏥 Healthcare2.1%
Charleston
93.4
Midland
91.4
Utilities5.7%
Charleston
88.2
Midland
83.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Midland, TX
$75,900
$4,100 less needed in Midland

Formula: salary × (95.8 ÷ 101) = salary × 0.9485. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Charleston, SC

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

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Charleston has 15.3% lower housing costs compared to Midland.

Income & Job Market

Charleston, SC

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

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Charleston, SC
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.