$40K in Seattle = $25,867 in Charleston
Your $40K salary in Seattle (COL 150) has the same purchasing power as $25,867 in Charleston (COL 97). Charleston is cheaper — your money goes 35% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Seattle $40K | Charleston $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,728 | $2,522 |
| 1BR rent | $2,400 | $1,900 |
| Groceries | $410 | $376 |
| Transport | $100 | $55 |
| Utilities | $120 | $162 |
| Internet | $65 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | -$367/month | -$34/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Seattle equivalent to in Charleston?
$40K in Seattle (COL index 150) has the same purchasing power as $25,867 in Charleston (COL index 97). That's 35% less than your current salary.
If I move from Seattle to Charleston keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to Charleston, you'd have $333 more per month after core expenses — because Charleston is cheaper than Seattle.
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: $40K × (97 ÷ 150) = $25,867. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Seattle to Charleston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only