CostIndexUSA

Atlantic City, NJ vs Charleston, WV Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Atlantic City
98.9
overall index
$2,225/mo rent
More AffordableWV
Charleston
88.7
overall index
$1,000/mo rent

Charleston is moderately cheaper than Atlantic City — 10.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlantic City, you would need $71,800 in Charleston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing47.9%
Atlantic City
98.7
Charleston
51.4
🛒 Groceries3.5%
Atlantic City
99.8
Charleston
96.3
🚗 Transportation+1.9%
Atlantic City
102.8
Charleston
104.8
🏥 Healthcare+1.9%
Atlantic City
93
Charleston
94.8
Utilities16.0%
Atlantic City
109.2
Charleston
91.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Charleston, WV
$71,800
$8,200 less needed in Charleston

Formula: salary × (88.7 ÷ 98.9) = salary × 0.8969. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Home Price
$369,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,225
Housing Index
98.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8×

Charleston, WV

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

Atlantic City has 47.9% lower housing costs compared to Charleston.

Income & Job Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
6%
Population
38,497
Top Industries
GamingTourismHealthcareHospitalityRetail

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).

Atlantic City, NJ
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.