CostIndexUSA

Charleston, WV vs Utica, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWV
Charleston
88.7
overall index
$1,000/mo rent
NY
Utica
92.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Charleston is slightly cheaper than Utica — 4.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charleston, you would need $83,600 in Utica. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+28.6%
Charleston
51.4
Utica
66.1
🛒 Groceries+3.5%
Charleston
96.3
Utica
99.7
🚗 Transportation2.1%
Charleston
104.8
Utica
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Charleston
94.8
Utica
92.9
Utilities+43.8%
Charleston
91.7
Utica
131.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Utica, NY
$83,600
$3,600 more needed in Utica

Formula: salary × (92.7 ÷ 88.7) = salary × 1.0451. 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×

Utica, NY

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
66.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.9×

Utica has 28.6% 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

Utica, NY

Median Household Income
$61,800
Per Capita Income
$35,200
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
60,651
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentEducationRetail

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)

Utica, NY
3.7×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.