Allen TX 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Allen
55.7%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 5.4% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 10.6% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 2.2% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 5.9% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $90,038 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 12.0% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allen +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $593,739 | Allen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 55.6% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Charleston
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Charleston
15.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Charleston
9.5%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.5% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 15.1% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 22.9% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.5% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 65.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 51.0 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while allen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $502,170. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Allen, TX vs New York, NYAllen, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAllen, TX vs Chicago, ILAllen, TX vs Houston, TXAllen, TX vs Phoenix, AZAllen, TX vs Philadelphia, PA