City Comparison · 2026
Charleston vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Charleston = $145k in Los Angeles
Metric
Charleston
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓1.21
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,650/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,100/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
SC
CA
$100k Take-Home
$72,336
✓$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
27.66%
✓26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$52,536
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Charleston SC | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,408 $3,867/mo · 22.65% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $72,336 $6,028/mo · 27.66% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,678 $8,640/mo · 30.88% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Charleston has a cost-of-living index of 1.21 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Charleston is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Charleston is $1,650/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Charleston?
$100k in Charleston = $145k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 45.5%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Charleston or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $72,336 in SC (Charleston) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $52,536 in Charleston vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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