Cost of Living: Charleston, SC vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Charleston

South Carolina
128
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Charleston is 21% more expensive than Manchester.

$1,632/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↓ 10%
$90,038/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 14%
$469,100 ↑ 39%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 28%
$1,688/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↓ 8%
152,014
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

6.4%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.57%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

21.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Charleston, SC and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 128 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $167/month cheaper in Manchester, saving renters about $2,004/year.

Median household income is $12,623/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Charleston is $469,100 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Charleston vs Manchester — common questions

Is Charleston or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Manchester is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Charleston and Manchester?
Median rent in Charleston is $1,632/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $167/month.
Which city has higher income, Charleston or Manchester?
Median household income is $90,038 in Charleston and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $12,623/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between South Carolina and New Hampshire?
South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Charleston or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Charleston has a cost index of 128 with median rent of $1,632/mo, while Manchester has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,465/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Charleston details → View Manchester details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Charleston and Manchester

Charleston vs. Roseville Charleston vs. Bellevue Charleston vs. Hollywood Charleston vs. Escondido Charleston vs. Sunnyvale Charleston vs. Jackson Manchester vs. Westminster Manchester vs. Richmond Manchester vs. Antioch Manchester vs. High Point Manchester vs. Broken Arrow Manchester vs. League City