Charleston, MS vs Columbia, MS

Charleston, MS and Columbia, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Charleston scores 58 while Columbia scores 60 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Charleston is $628/month compared to $656/month in Columbia — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charleston is more affordable at $87,700 median vs $112,100.

Median household income in Charleston is $37,351 compared to $34,328 in Columbia (+8.8%). Charleston offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Charleston spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, less than the 22.9% in Columbia.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 66.5°F). Columbia receives more rainfall at 58.9" per year compared to 51.8" in Charleston.