Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Charleston
152,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Anaheim +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 152,014 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.1 | Anaheim + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 5.4% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 2.5% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 2.2% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 5.9% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $90,038 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $593,739 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Charleston
28.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 28.7% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 22.9% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 65.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 51.0 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
Compare More Cities
Anaheim, CA vs New York, NYAnaheim, CA vs Los Angeles, CAAnaheim, CA vs Chicago, ILAnaheim, CA vs Houston, TXAnaheim, CA vs Phoenix, AZAnaheim, CA vs Philadelphia, PA