$100K in West Palm Beach = $82,906 in Charleston
Your $100K salary in West Palm Beach (COL 117) has the same purchasing power as $82,906 in Charleston (COL 97). Charleston is cheaper — your money goes 17% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | West Palm Beach $100K | Charleston $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,321 | $5,804 |
| 1BR rent | $2,400 | $1,900 |
| Groceries | $403 | $376 |
| Transport | $112 | $55 |
| Utilities | $200 | $162 |
| Internet | $70 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $3,136/month | $3,248/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in West Palm Beach equivalent to in Charleston?
$100K in West Palm Beach (COL index 117) has the same purchasing power as $82,906 in Charleston (COL index 97). That's 17% less than your current salary.
If I move from West Palm Beach to Charleston keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Charleston, you'd have $112 more per month after core expenses — because Charleston is cheaper than West Palm Beach.
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 ÷ 117) = $82,906. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — West Palm Beach to Charleston
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only