$60K in Charleston = $57,526 in Wilmington
Your $60K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $57,526 in Wilmington (COL 93). Wilmington is cheaper — your money goes 4% further there.
Budget breakdown — $60K in both cities
What $60K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Charleston $60K | Wilmington $60K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $3,483 | $3,568 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $1,550 |
| Groceries | $376 | $372 |
| Transport | $55 | $45 |
| Utilities | $162 | $158 |
| Internet | $63 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $927/month | $1,381/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $60K in Charleston equivalent to in Wilmington?
$60K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $57,526 in Wilmington (COL index 93). That's 4% less than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Wilmington keeping my $60K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $60K after moving to Wilmington, you'd have $454 more per month after core expenses — because Wilmington is cheaper than Charleston.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $60K × (93 ÷ 97) = $57,526. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Wilmington
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only