Over three hundred urban areas participated in the 2nd quarter 2003 survey. The average for all participating areas equals 100, and each participant's index reads as a percentage of the average for all places. For example, in the 2nd quarter of 2003, the Charleston area's relative cost of living was 98.2, or 1.8 percent above the average cost of living of all participating areas.

Selected Metro Area	All Items Index	Average Home Price
Atlanta, GA	95.9	$223,370
Huntsville, AL	92.7	$191,948
Charleston Area	98.2	$238,233
Charlotte, NC	94.7	$225,500
Columbia, SC	95.0	$215,622
Jacksonville, FL	90.7	$188,438
Boston, MA	135.9	$438,328
Knoxville, TN	88.5	$188,700
Richmond, VA	101.3	$228,135
Raleigh, NC	97.7	$229,565
Washington, DC	134.8	$424,851

The composite index is based on six components. The component index figures for the Charleston area are as follows:

Componets Index

Grocery Items	99.3
Housing	94.8
Utilities	103.4
Transportation	97.4
Health Care	100.8
Miscellaneous Goods and Services	99.1
All Items	98.2

Apartment Rental
The average monthly rental cost for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, unfurnished apartment excluding all utilities except water is $718.

Housing Costs
The estimated purchase price for a newly built home with 2,400 square feet of living area in the Charleston area is $238,233. This typical home has three bedrooms and two full baths and is located in a typical mid- management executive household neighborhood.

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index 2nd Quarter 2003. Prepared by: Center for Business Research, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, 2003.

Educational Statistics