CostIndexUSA

Akron, OH vs Charleston, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Akron
93.4
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
SC
Charleston
101
overall index
$1,950/mo rent

Akron is moderately cheaper than Charleston — 8.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Akron, you would need $86,500 in Charleston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+56.0%
Akron
76.8
Charleston
119.8
🛒 Groceries+2.9%
Akron
93.6
Charleston
96.3
🚗 Transportation0.7%
Akron
103.9
Charleston
103.2
🏥 Healthcare0.6%
Akron
94
Charleston
93.4
Utilities8.5%
Akron
96.4
Charleston
88.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Charleston, SC
$86,500
$6,500 more needed in Charleston

Formula: salary × (101 ÷ 93.4) = salary × 1.0814. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Akron, OH

Median Home Price
$225,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3×

Charleston, SC

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

Charleston has 56.0% higher housing costs compared to Akron.

Income & Job Market

Akron, OH

Median Household Income
$70,100
Per Capita Income
$40,000
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
190,469
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyFinance

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).

Akron, OH
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.