CostIndexUSA

Charleston, SC vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableSC
Charleston
101
overall index
$1,950/mo rent
CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Charleston is slightly cheaper than Stockton — 4.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $83,200 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing3.5%
Charleston
119.8
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries+9.2%
Charleston
96.3
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.0%
Charleston
103.2
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.0%
Charleston
93.4
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+79.4%
Charleston
88.2
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$83,200
$3,200 more needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 101) = salary × 1.0406. 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×

Stockton, CA

Median Home Price
$522,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
115.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Charleston has 3.5% lower housing costs compared to Stockton.

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

Stockton, CA

Median Household Income
$87,400
Per Capita Income
$49,800
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
320,804
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareLogisticsManufacturingEducation

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)

Stockton, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.