Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Charleston
152,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Austin
59.9%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 152,014 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.1 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 5.4% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 7.5% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.2% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 5.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Charleston
$58,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Charleston
57.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $90,038 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $58,583 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 57.7% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $593,739 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Charleston
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Austin +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Charleston
9.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 22.9% | Austin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.5% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 65.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 51.0 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. 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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