CostIndexUSA

Anaheim, CA vs Charleston, WV Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Anaheim
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableWV
Charleston
88.7
overall index
$1,000/mo rent

Charleston is significantly cheaper than Anaheim — 21.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anaheim, you would need $62,500 in Charleston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing69.8%
Anaheim
170.4
Charleston
51.4
🛒 Groceries9.7%
Anaheim
106.6
Charleston
96.3
🚗 Transportation4.4%
Anaheim
109.6
Charleston
104.8
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Anaheim
99.1
Charleston
94.8
Utilities42.2%
Anaheim
158.6
Charleston
91.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Charleston, WV
$62,500
$17,500 less needed in Charleston

Formula: salary × (88.7 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.7808. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anaheim, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Charleston, WV

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

Anaheim has 69.8% lower housing costs compared to Charleston.

Income & Job Market

Anaheim, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
346,824
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Charleston, WV

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Anaheim, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Charleston, WV
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.