CostIndexUSA

Charleston, WV vs Minneapolis, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWV
Charleston
88.7
overall index
$1,000/mo rent
MN
Minneapolis
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Charleston is significantly cheaper than Minneapolis — 18.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $94,500 in Minneapolis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+117.5%
Charleston
51.4
Minneapolis
111.8
🛒 Groceries+7.1%
Charleston
96.3
Minneapolis
103.1
🚗 Transportation+4.6%
Charleston
104.8
Minneapolis
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.6%
Charleston
94.8
Minneapolis
99.2
Utilities+2.0%
Charleston
91.7
Minneapolis
93.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Minneapolis, MN
$94,500
$14,500 more needed in Minneapolis

Formula: salary × (104.8 ÷ 88.7) = salary × 1.1815. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Charleston, WV

Median Home Price
$143,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
Housing Index
51.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Minneapolis, MN

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
111.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Minneapolis has 117.5% higher housing costs compared to Charleston.

Income & Job Market

Charleston, WV

Median Household Income
$55,400
Per Capita Income
$31,600
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
47,068
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEnergyFinanceEducation

Minneapolis, MN

Median Household Income
$95,100
Per Capita Income
$54,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
429,606
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareRetailManufacturingTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

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

Charleston, WV
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Minneapolis, MN
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.