CostIndexUSA

Charleston, WV vs Plano, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWV
Charleston
88.7
overall index
$1,000/mo rent
TX
Plano
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Charleston is significantly cheaper than Plano — 16.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $93,000 in Plano. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+129.4%
Charleston
51.4
Plano
117.9
🛒 Groceries+6.7%
Charleston
96.3
Plano
102.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Charleston
104.8
Plano
104.7
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Charleston
94.8
Plano
94.7
Utilities1.1%
Charleston
91.7
Plano
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Plano, TX
$93,000
$13,000 more needed in Plano

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 88.7) = salary × 1.1623. 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×

Plano, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Plano has 129.4% 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

Plano, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
285,494
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareTelecommunicationsRetail

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)

Plano, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.