Median rent is 50% lower in Charleston ($898/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in Charleston, where the median home runs $187,300 versus $751,700. Households earn more in New York ($79,713 vs $64,512 a year).
City A
Charleston, WV
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Charleston, WV?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Charleston
West Virginia
New York
New York
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Charleston — median rent of $898/mo versus $1,779/mo in New York, a 50% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $187,300 in Charleston — 75% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
West Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.12% versus 10.90% in New York, so Charleston is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in West Virginia and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Charleston
Income tax: 5.12%
Sales tax: 6.00%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for Charleston.
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,713/yr).
Pick Charleston if you prioritize cheaper rent ($898/mo median).
Pick Charleston if you prioritize lower state income tax (5.12%).
Is Charleston cheaper than New York?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Charleston vs New York?
Median rent is $898/mo in Charleston, WV and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. Charleston, WV has the lower rent by about 50%.
Which has higher salaries — Charleston or New York?
Median household income is $64,512 in Charleston, WV and $79,713 in New York, NY. New York, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Charleston or New York?
West Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.12% and New York's is 10.90%. Charleston, WV has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New York to match my Charleston income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology