Albany GA vs Charleston SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Charleston
5.4%
Charleston +
White
Albany
18.9%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Charleston
17.4%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.1 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 5.4% | Charleston + |
| White | 18.9% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 76.3% | 17.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.2% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 5.9% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $54,550 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $593,739 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 22.9% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Charleston
51.0 in
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 65.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 51.0 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.4 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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