CostIndexUSA

Charleston, WV vs Racine, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWV
Charleston
88.7
overall index
$1,000/mo rent
WI
Racine
96
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Charleston is moderately cheaper than Racine — 8.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $86,600 in Racine. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+79.0%
Charleston
51.4
Racine
92
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Charleston
96.3
Racine
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Charleston
104.8
Racine
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Charleston
94.8
Racine
94.4
Utilities1.9%
Charleston
91.7
Racine
90

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Racine, WI
$86,600
$6,600 more needed in Racine

Formula: salary × (96 ÷ 88.7) = salary × 1.0823. 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×

Racine, WI

Median Home Price
$293,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
92
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Racine has 79.0% 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

Racine, WI

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
78,900
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

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)

Racine, WI
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.