$100K in Flagstaff = $95,098 in Charleston
Your $100K salary in Flagstaff (COL 102) has the same purchasing power as $95,098 in Charleston (COL 97). Charleston is cheaper — your money goes 5% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Flagstaff $100K | Charleston $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,113 | $5,804 |
| 1BR rent | $1,650 | $1,900 |
| Groceries | $384 | $376 |
| Transport | $45 | $55 |
| Utilities | $195 | $162 |
| Internet | $65 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $3,774/month | $3,248/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in Flagstaff equivalent to in Charleston?
$100K in Flagstaff (COL index 102) has the same purchasing power as $95,098 in Charleston (COL index 97). That's 5% less than your current salary.
If I move from Flagstaff to Charleston keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Charleston, you'd have $-526 more per month after core expenses — because Charleston is cheaper than Flagstaff.
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: $100K × (97 ÷ 102) = $95,098. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Flagstaff to Charleston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only