Side-by-side city decision # Charleston vs Girona. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link CharlestonUnited States0/6 VS GironaSpain4/6 $2,920Charleston monthly budget $1,550Girona monthly budget 310 MbpsCharleston internet 360 MbpsGirona internet Decision summary Girona Girona leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Girona Speed Fastest internet Girona Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Girona Air Cleanest air Tie Walk Most walkable Girona Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Charleston](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/charleston.md) United States 0/6 Budget$2,920 Internet310 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Girona](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/girona.md) Spain 4/6 Budget$1,550 Internet360 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricCharlestonGirona Total estimated budget $2,920 $1,550 1-bed center rent $1,850 $950 Coworking desk $350 $190 Local meal $20 $15.5 Cappuccino $5.3 $2.1 Gym membership $65 $45 Transport budget $120 $40 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricCharlestonGirona Internet speed 310 Mbps 360 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricCharlestonGirona Safety index 62/100 78/100 Air quality 82/100 82/100 Walkability 6/10 9/10 Female safety 7/10 8/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricCharlestonGirona Healthcare quality Excellent Excellent English proficiency Excellent Average Climate type Humid subtropical Mediterranean Best time to visit Mar - May Apr - Jun Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Charleston](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/charleston.md) United States → ### Strengths * Beautiful historic architecture and waterfront setting * Fast, widely available home internet * Excellent Southern, seafood, and international dining * Mild winters and long outdoor season * Strong airport connections for a mid-sized city * Friendly local culture with an active creative scene ### Trade-offs * High rents and limited affordable central housing * Summer heat, humidity, and mosquitoes are intense * Car dependence outside the peninsula * Hurricane and flooding risks * Tourist crowds raise prices downtown * Public transit is limited for daily commuting ### Common visa routes * Visa Waiver Program / ESTA * B-1/B-2 visitor visa * H-1B or other employer-sponsored work visa [Girona](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/girona.md) Spain → ### Strengths * Beautiful, highly walkable historic center * Generally safe and relaxed daily life * Fast fiber internet is widely available * Excellent Catalan food and produce * Easy rail access to Barcelona and France * Close to the Costa Brava and Pyrenees ### Trade-offs * Long-term rentals are competitive and rising * Smaller nomad scene than Barcelona * English is less common outside tourism and younger circles * Winters can feel damp and quiet * Girona Airport has limited year-round routes * Some services close for afternoon breaks or holidays ### Common visa routes * Spain Digital Nomad Visa * Schengen short-stay visa waiver or visa * Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.