Charleston, TN vs Surgoinsville, TN

Charleston, TN and Surgoinsville, TN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Charleston scores 73 while Surgoinsville scores 74 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 $871/month compared to $1,013/month in Surgoinsville — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Charleston has cheaper rent, Surgoinsville actually has lower median home values ($170,000 vs $185,000).

Median household income in Charleston is $72,208 compared to $47,500 in Surgoinsville (+52%). 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 14.5% of their income on rent, less than the 25.6% in Surgoinsville.