Charleston, MS vs Mathiston, MS

Charleston is moderately more affordable than Mathiston, with a 13% lower cost of living index. Charleston scores 58 compared to 66 for Mathiston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mathiston can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Charleston is $628/month compared to $810/month in Mathiston — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charleston is more affordable at $87,700 median vs $125,900.

Median household income in Charleston is $37,351 compared to $59,514 in Mathiston (-37.2%). While Mathiston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Charleston spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.3% in Mathiston.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 63.6°F). Mathiston receives more rainfall at 57.7" per year compared to 51.8" in Charleston.